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NUMBER THREE.
JOURNAL OF EICHAIID MATHER,
1635.
HIS LIFE AND DEATH. 1670.
V
BOSTON :
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY DAVID CLAPP.
Over 184 Washington Street.
1850.
At a stated meeting of the Resident Members of the Dorchester Antiqua rian and Historical Society, held, pursuant to notification, at the house of Ed- ward Jarvis, M.D., in Dorchester, October 26, 1849, Edmund J. Baker in the chair, it was, on motion,
Voted, That a Committee of three be elected, whose duty it shall be to take order for the publication of the " Journal " of Richard Mather, from the origi- nal Manuscript in the Library of this Society ; together with his Life, as pub- lished in the year 1670.
Voted, That James M. Robbins, Ebenezer Clapp, Jr., and Edward Holden, constitute said Committee.
A true copy of record.
Attest,
EDWARD HOLDEN, Librarian
PREFACE.
After an interval of several years, another number of our * Collections " is offered to the public. Various causes lave contributed to this delay. Although we have had no reason to be dissatisfied with the reception of former num- )ers, yet the inquiries for additional ones have not been suf- ficiently urgent to demand their being put to press in a hasty manner or at any stated times. It is still intended to send brth a small volume occasionally, trusting that something will thus be done towards keeping alive the words as well as the memory of those who have gone before us. The ipresent number is calculated to do this in respect to one of [the brightest lights of our early New England history — I Richard Mather, who arrived in this country in 1635, in his 1 39th year, was settled in 1636 as minister over the then newly-formed Church in Dorchester, where he spent the remainder of his days, and died here, in the midst of his attached and devoted people, April 22, 1669, in the 73d i year of his age.
I The first portion of this number — the Journal of Richard Mather — is in the form of a diary kept by himself in his pas- Sage across the Atlantic, from the land of his fathers to his future home and that of his descendants in New England. The present edition is now faithfully copied from the original MS., which is in possession of this Society, having been pre- served, without material injury, nearly 215 years.
IV PREFACE.
The other portion — the Life and Death of Richard though professedly not written by his son Increase Mather was, as will be seen, originally sent forth under his nam< | and sanction, in the form of a dedication " To the Churcl and Inhabitants of Dorchester in N. E." He was theli youngest son of Richard, was settled as a minister in Boston, was President of Harvard College, and father of the no less celebrated Cotton Mather. This is a reprint from the first edition, published in Cambridge in 1670, a copy of which has been kindly loaned by J. Wingate Thornton, Esq., of Boston — to whom the reader is also indebted for the inter- esting and valuable notes at the end of this volume, con- taining some new historical facts.
We have endeavored in this, as in the other volumes of ou humble " Collections," to imitate, to a reasonable extent, the orthography, punctuation, &:c. of the originals. We do this, both in accordance with our own individual partiality, and as being in consonance with the desire of our Society toi gather up and preserve the vestiges of the Pilgrims as nearlyj as possible in the state in which they left them.
With these preliminary remarks. No. 3 of our series is sent forth to the world. To the people of Dorchester — the place in this countiy where the name of Mather was first and so long loved and honored — it must be invested with a j peculiar interest ; and to all who partake of that feeling of 1 gratitude and veneration towards the " Pilgrim Fathers " which has of late so much increased among their descend- ants, it cannot be otherwise than an acceptable document.
Dorchester, March, 1850.
RICHARD Mather's journal.
May curtesy at the hands of divers godly Christians in Bristoll. Yet our stay was grievous unto us, when wee considered how most of this time the windes were easterly and served directly for us ; Bat o'' ship was not ready : so ill did o'" owners deale with us.
Going aboard y'- ship in King roade the 23d of May, wee found things very unready, and all on heapes, many goodes beeing not stowed, but lying on disordered heapes, here and there in the ship. This day there came aboard the ship 2 of the searchers, and viewed a list of all o'' names, ministered the oath of allegiance to all at full age, viewed o'" certificates from the ministers in the parishes from whence wee came, approved well thereof, and gave us tickets, that is. Licenses under their handes and scales, to passe the seas, and cleared the ship, and so departed. When wee came to King roade (which is a spacious har- bor of 5 or 6 miles broad, and 4 or 5 miles distant from Bristoll) wee found neere o"" ship another ship of Bristoll, called the Diligence, bound for New-found-land, riding at ancre. 21. The 24th beeing the Lorde's day, the wind was strong in the morning, and y'^ ship daunced, and many of o"" women and some children were not well ; but sea-sicke, and mazy or light in their heades, and could scarce stand or go without falling, unlesse they tooke hold of some- thing to uphold them. This day Mr. Maud was excer- cised in the forenoone, and I in the afternoone. The wind still easterly. ' 25. The 25th, wee that were passengers would faine have
mCHARD MATHER'S JOURNAL.
1636.
Ij^'raise the Lord oh my soule, and all that is within mee, prayse his holy name ! Praise the Lord oh my soide, and forget not all his benefits ; yea, let all that is within mee and all that is without mee praise his holy name. And let every thing that hath breath praise the name of the Lord for ever and ever. Who gave unto us his poore servants, such a safe and comfortable voyage to New England. The particular passages whereof rvere as follow cth.
V'V EE came from Warrington on Thursday April 16, and came to Bristoll on the Thursday following, viz. April 16. 23, and had a very healthfull, safe and prosperous journey all y^ way, blessed bee the name of o*" God for the same, taking but easy journeyes because of the children and footemen, dispaching 119 or 120 miles in seven dayes.
Comming to Bristoll wee found divers of the company come before us ; but some came not till after us : howbeit the last was come by the first of May. Neverthelesse we went not aboard y^ ship untill Saturday the 23d of May : so that the time of o^' staying in Bristoll was a month and two dayes, during all wch time wee found friendship and 2
RICHARD Mather's journal.
iad ancre weighed, and sayle set, y^ wee might have ^ay )eene gone. But y^ mariners would insiste that they ;ould not stirre till y*^ goodes were stowed and the hatches )r deck above cleared, &z;c. So wee were forced to sit itill, and fall in hand with the goodes ; wch stay was a greater griefe unto us, because the Diligence, y* lay within I or 3 stones cast of us did this morning go out in o"" sight.
The Tuesday morning the wind beeing easterly and 26. he decke somewhat cleared, the mariners began to ad- iresse themselves for going. But about nine of the clocke, Ivhen they had taken up one of their ancres, and were in I manner ready to set forward, the wind turned directly igt us, unto the west, so y* wee were forced to cast ancre Lgaine, and sit still. This evening the Diligence, y* went )ut y^ day before, came in againe, and cast ancre about he place where shee lay before ; and found us rid- ng at ancre where shee left us ; and another ship also )Ound for New England came unto us, which other ship yas called the Angel Gabriel.
On Wednesday the wind continuing still at y^ west, 27. kVee having sent some of o*" men a shoar to fech more pread and victuals and more water for the cattell ; our Master Captayne Taylor went aboard the Angel Gabriel ; Mr. Maud, Nathaniel Wales, Barnabas Fower, Thomas Armitage and my selfe accompanying him. When wee [lame there wee found divers passengers, and among them ;ome loving and godly Christians that were glad to see us ^Jiere. And soone after wee were come aboard there, there came three or four more boates with more passen-
8 RICHARD Mather's journal.
May gers, and one wherein came Sir Ferdinando Gorge, who came to see the ship and the people. When hee was come hee enquired whether there were any people there y^ went to Massachusetts Bay, whereupon Mr. Maud and Barnabas Fower were sent for to come before him ; who being come he asked Mr. Maud of his country, occupa- tion or calling of life, &:c., and professed his good will to< the^people there in y^ bay, and promised that if hee ever came there, hee would be a true friend unto them.
2S. On Thursday, the wind being still at west, the M*" oi the Angel Gabriel, and some of their passengers, came aboard o*" ship, and desired to have o"" company he. This day their cattel came aboard, and o*" M*" and some of the saylors and passengers went a shoare.
29. Friday morning, the wind was south-east, but o'" Mas- ter and some of the mariners being away, we could not set sayle ; so being constrayned to ride at ancre still, and fearing a want if o^ journey should proove long, some oi o^ company were sent by boat to Bristoll, to provide some more oates for the cattel, and bread, and other provisions for o'" selves, wch they performed, and so came aboard again at evening.
30. Saturday at morning the wind was strong at north-west ; and against o"" going out, and besides o*" Master and some of the saylors were gone ashore and not come aboard! againe ; so that this day also wee were constrayned to sit | still. In the afternoon e y^ wind v/axed louder, and o'J ship daunced with wind and waves ; and many passen-j gersj especially women and some children, were sea-sicke.
RICHARD MATHERS JOURNAL. 9
The 2d Sabbath on ship-board. The wind easterly, ^^y and directly for us ; but o^ Master and many of the say- lors beeing away, and it being also the Lords day, there could bee no going out y* day. I was excercised in the forenoone, and Mr. Maud in y*^ afternoone.
Munday the wind was westerly, and agt us. This day June we sent some of o*" company ashoare to wash linnens, and some to buy more hay and provisions. Towardes night y® wind grew stronger and o"" ship daunced and many of y® passengers were ill through casting and sea-sicknesse. I Tuesday, the wind still westerly. This day wee sent 2. some of o'" people ashoare to provide more water, and hay for the cattel.
Wednesday morning, the wind was easterly and good 3. for our purpose ; but o'" Master and many of y^ saylors v/ent away, and those y* were aboard with us told us it was no going out till the wind was settled, lest we should be forced to come in again upon change of wind, as the Diliojence was. This evenins; there came to ancre in King-roade another ship of BristoU of 240 tunne, called y^ Bess, or Elizabeth, bound for New- fond-land, as there had done another two or three dayes before, called the Mary, which was also bound for New-fond-land.
Thursday morning, the wind serving for us, and o** Mas- 4. ter and all the saylors being come aboard, wee set sayle and began o'* sea-voyage with glad hearts y* God had loosed, us from o^" long stay wherein we had been holden, and with hope and trust that hee would graciously guide us to the end of o*" journey. We were y* set sayle tO' 2*
10 RICHARD MATHER S JOURNAL.
'""e gether y* morning five shippes ; three bound for New- fond-land, viz. the Dihgence, a ship of 1 50 tunne ; the Mary, a small ship of 80 tunne, and the Bess : and two bound for New-England, viz. the Angel Gabriel of 240 tunne, the James of 220 tunne. And even at o*" setting out, we y* were in the James had experience of God's i gracious providence over us, in y^ the Angel Gabriel hal- ing home one of her ancres, had like, being carried by the force of the tide, to have fallen foule upon y^ forept of o'' ship, well made all the mariners as well as passengers greatly afraid ; yet by the guidance of God, and his care over us, she passed by without touching so much as a cable or a cord, and so we escaped y^ danger. This day wee went about ten or twelve leagues afore 12 of y^clocke, and then the wind turned to y*^ west, and y^ tide also was agt us ; so y^ wee were forced to come to ancre againe in y*^ channel, betweene Wales and Winnyard in Sommersett shire, and there wee abode till about six or seven of y^ clocke at night ; and then y^ tide turning for us, wee tacked about with y® tide too and fro as y^ wind would suffer, and gained little yet continued all night till about two of y*^ clocke after midnight, and then (y^ tide turning) wee came to ancre againe. 5. Friday morning, the wind still strong at west, we tack- ed about againe with the tide too and fro till about one of y® clocke after dinner ; about wch time y^ tide and wind beeing both against us we came to ancre againe within sight of Lundy, about two leagues short thereof. Which Lundy is an Hand about 20 leagues short of y^ landes
RICHARD Mather's journal. 11
end, and 28 leagues from King roade. This day many J"ne passengers were very sea-sicke ; and ill at ease through much vomiting. This day at night when y^ tide turned, wee set sail againe, and so came on Saturday morning to ancre againe, under Lundy, where ahiding because y* ^'• wind was strong agt us four of us were desirous to [go] ashoare into y*" Hand ; and speaking thereof to o'' master hee was very willing to satisfy us therein, and went with us himselfe, Mr. Maude, Mathew Michel, Geo. Kenrick, myselfe, and some others accompanying him. When wee came into the Hand, wee found onely one house therein, and walking in it from side to side, and end to end, one of y® house beeing with us, wee found 30 or 40 head of cat- tell, about 16 or 20 horses, and mares, goates, swine, geese, &;c. and fowle and rabbets innumerable ; the Hand is 1700 acres of land, but yeeldes no corne. Here wee got some milke and fowle and cheese, which things my children were glad of, and so came aboard againe ; but y^ wind beeing strong agt us, especially towardes night, wee rode there all night, and y*' next day, and many of our passengers were y^ evening very sicke.
The third Sabbath on shipboard : This day the wind ^^ still at west against us, we lay still under Lundy. Mr. Maude was excercised in y*' forenoone and I in y^ after- noone.
Munday the wind still strong at west. This day wee 8. sent some of o'' people on shoare to Lundy to fech more water for y® cattel.
Tuesday y^ wind still strong agt us. This morning y® 9-
12 RICHARD Mather's journal.
June 5 ships beeing all weary of lying at Limdy, because the harbour was not very good, and seeing the wind still con- trary, weighed ancre againe and set sayle for Milford haven, which is fourteen leagues from Lundy, and lyes upon Pembrooke shire in Wales, and came thither that night. This day as wee came from Lundy to Milford js haven, the sea wrought and was rough, and most of the passengers were very sicke, worse y'^ ever before.
10. Wednesday the wind still agt us, wee lay still in Milford ; y' haven : and most of o"" people were in good health, and many went on shoare into the country ; and brought more fresh water for the cattel, more fresh victuals, as egges, loafe bread, fresh fish, he. which things o*' children were glad of.
11- Thursday: the wind still agt us; many went y^ day also on shoare, to take the ayre, view y*' countrey, &£C., and some of us upon businesse to provide more hay, and provisions.
12. Friday : A knight of the country dwelling neere Hart- ford west being aboard the Diligence, sent for mee to come to speake with him : much wondering we had what should bee the matter, seeing I never knew him, nor bee mee. When I came to him he used me curteously, invited me to his house, wished us all good successe, lamented the losse of them y* stayed behind, when so many of the best people for upholding religion were removed and taken away. The knights name is Sir James Parret.
13. Saturday, wind still against us.
RICHARD MATHKr's JOURNAL. 13
The 4tli Sabbath on sliip-board. This day Mr. Maud, -Tune Vlathew iNlichel, and many of o' passengers and of the A.ngel Gabriel's went to a church on shoare called Nan- nie, where they heard two good and comfortable sermons, nade by an ancient, grave minister living at Pembrooke, .vhose name is Mr. Jessop. His text wasps. 91: 11. He will [give] his angels charge, he. ; and his coniming ,vas purposely for the comfort and encouragement of us r* went to N. England. I was excercised on ship-board )oth endes of the day, remayning there for the helpe of y® A^eaker and inferior sort, that could not 2:0 on shoare. I Munday, I went on shore to Nangle, with my wife ^^' ind children : John Smith and his wife, and Marv ; Su- 5an Michel and divers others. It was a faire day, and 'wee walked in the fields, and at a house got some milke, kc. wherewith wee were much refreshed, and came iboard ag-aine at evening;. Tuesday, a raynie day, the wind still agt us. i^-
Wednesday, the wind still agt us. ^'^^
Thursday, the wind still agt us : This day in the ^^■ morning o'" Master and the seamen, sent away and set on shoare one of the seamen, called Jephrey Cornish, who :iad fallen out and been in quarrelling and fighting with 5ome of the seamen. The maine matter ahead o;ed ao;t him ^as his drunken nesse, and blasphemy, and brawling and sui-sing in his drunkennesse. In the afternoone there came to the Angel Ga])riel and to o'" ship, Mr. Jessop, to see the christians bound for New England. He was a grave and godly old man, one y' had lost a good living, because
14 RICHARD MATHER S JOURNAL.
Jime of his non-comformity, and wished us all well, and we
IS.
were much refreshed with his godly company and con- ference.
^^- Friday, a foggy morning ; wind still w^esterly.
^^- Saturday, the wind still hovering too and fro.
~^' The 5th Sabbath on ship-board ; a faire cheereful sum- mer day. This day I was excercised both ends of the day, and had much comfort therein, because the fairenesse of the day freed us from distraction, and fitted us the better for attendance ; besides, the day w^as more comfortable to us all, in regard to y^ company of many godly christians from y*^ Angel Gabriel, and from other vessels lying in the haven with us, who wanting meanes at home were glad to come to us, and wee were also glad of their company ; and had all of us a very comfortable day, and were much refreshed in the Lord.
22. Munday morning, the wind serving with a strong gale at east, wee set saile from Milford haven wdiere wee had waited for wind twelve dayes ; and were carried forth with speedy course ; and about noone lost all sight of land. The wind beeing strong, the sea was rough this day, and most of o*" passengers were very sicke, and ill, throuo;h much castino.
23. Tuesday: the wind still easterly, and a very rainy day ;, wee were carried forward apace, and lanched forth a I great way into y*" deepe ; but o*" people were still very, sicke. This day at evening we lost sight of the three shippes bound for New-fond-land, which had beene in; company with us from King roade, and o^ Master thought!
RICHARD MATHERS JOURNAL. 15
best for us to stay for the Angel Gabriel, beeing bound Jui''? Dr New-England as wee were, rather than to leave her, nd go with the other three. The Angel Gabriel is a trong ship, and well furnished with fourteene or sixteene [lieces of ordnance, and therefore o'' seamen rather desired ter company ; but yet shee is slow in sailing, and there- Dre wee ^\'ent sometimes with three sayles lesse than wee .light have done, y^ so we might not overgoe her.
I Wednesday, the wind still at east, but not so strong as 24. he other 2 dayes before. This morning wee saw abund- nce of porpuyses leaping and playing about o^ ship ;
nd spent a great deale of time, till two or three clocke
II the afternoone in pursuing (with the Angel Gabriel) .nother ship which wee supposed to liave beene a Turk- sh Pirate, and to have taken the Mary : The ground of vhich supposall was because yesternight the Mary was n our sight behind her fellows, and a little ship like to the ^lary had beene with the other ship this morning when ^^ee first espied them. But 'the little sliip pted from y^ )ther, and wee doubted shee had beene the Mary taken md sent away as a prize by the Turke ; and this made IS more willing to pursue y ; but not beeing able to over- ake them, wee left pursuing, and turned o*" course againe )ur owne way.
Thursday, the wind still easterly : in the morning wet -^^• md rainy, but about noone a faire sunshine day. Many 3f o^ passengers y^ had been sicke before, began to bee farre better, and came with delight to walk above upon y^ decke.
16 RICHARD Mather's journal.
June Friday, wind at north and aftenvard more westward, u This day wee saw many porpuyses leaping and mnningji hke about o"" ship. j,i
2'7- Saturday, wind still north-west ; but a faire coole day. |
28- The first Sabbath from Mllford haven, and the sixth on i shipboard, a faire coole day ; wind northerly, good for o'" i purpose ; I was excercised in the forenoone, and Mr. Maude in the aftemoone. This evening wee saw por- puyses about y^ ship, and some would fayne have been ( striking, but others dissuaded because of the Sabbath, and so it was let alone.
29. Munday morning, wind still northerly ; a faire cooleij day. This morning about seven of y^ clock e o'' seamen^ stroke a great porpuyse, and haled it with ropes into y^i ship ; for bignesse not much lesse than an hogge of 20 or^ 25 shillings a piece, and not much unlike for shape ; with flesh fat and leane, like in color to the fat and leane of an hogge, and being opened upon y*^ decke had within his entrails, as liver, lights, heart, guts, he, for al y^ world like a swyne. The seeing of him haled into y'^ ship, like a swyne from y*' stye to the tressle, and opened upon y®' decke in viewe of al o'" company, was wonderful to us all, . and marvellous merry sport and delightful to o'" women i and children ; so good was o'' God unto us, in affording us-i the day before spiritual refreshing to o"" soules, and y^ day' morning also delightful recreation to o"" bodyes, at y^ tak-j ing and opening of y*^ huge and strange fish. In the afternoone the Angel Gabriel sent their boate to o^ ship, \ to see how wee did, and o*" master Captayne Taylor went
RICHARD Mather's journal. 17
[board y^ Ano^el, and tooke Mathew Michel and mee June long with him. When we came thither we found y^ pas- engers y^ had beene sea-sicke now wel recovered the most f them ; and 2 children y^ had had the smal pockes, wel ecovered againe. Wee were intreated to stay supp there Wth their master, &ic. and had good cheere, mutton boyled ind rested, rosted turkey, good sacke, he. After which bving and curteous entertainment wee tooke leave, and ame aboard y^ James again at night.
Tuesday, a faire hot summer day, but smal wind. This 30. lay wee saw with wonder and delight abundance of por- ouyses, and likewise some crampushes as big as an oxe, puffing and spewing up water as they went by the ship.
Wednesday, a faire hot summer day, but y*^ wind west- "^j'^ grly, so y* we gained little y^ day.
I Thursday, rayny in y^ morning, but in y^ afternoone «. faire and cleare ; but little wind all day.
I Friday, wind strong at south-ward. We were carried 3. on apace ; after 8 or 9 leagues a wach as y^ sea-men con- ceived. (A wach is foure houres ; a league is three miles.) This day some few of y^ weakest passengers had some small remembrance againe of sea-qualmes and sea- sicknesse.
Saturday ; a very strong wind, but not much for us. 4^ This day y^ sea was very rough and we saw y*' truth of y^ Scripture, ps. 107. Some were very sea-sicke, but none could stand or go upon y^ decke, because of y^ toss- ing and tumbling of y^ ship. This day we lost sight of y® 3
G
18 RICHARD Mather's journal.
July Angel Gabriel, sayling slowly behind us, and we neverjieli saw her againe any more. |o,\
5- The 2d Sabbath from Milford haven, and y*^ seventh on«i?£ ship. This day God was very gracious unto us, in giving |)f a faire, calme, sun-shine day, y* we might above upon y® ! decke excercise o'' selves in his worship : for if this day ifi had beene as y** former for wind, and rayne, wee could not have knowne how to have sanctified y^ Sabbath in any comfortable manner. I was excercised in y^ forenoone, k and Mr. Maud in y*" afternoone.
^- Munday, wind north and north-east ; good for us, had it beene strong enough ; but beeing but weake, we could not in dispach much way. A faire day, and o*" people were most of y'" hearty and cheerefull. This morning Mathew \\ Michell and I spake to o'" M'' desiring him that we might not stay for the Angel ; because wee doubted o^ hay for o"" cattel would not hold out, and many caskes of water were leaked and spent ; to wch request he gave free assent, and caused y*^ saylors to make all y*^ saile they possibly could : and so wee went y^ day as y^ soft wind could drive us.
7. Tuesday, a fayre day but soft wind at south ; o^ people cheereful and in good health.
8. Wednesday, wind westerly ; yet by tacking southward and northward, wee gayned as y® seamen conceived 20 or 21 leagues.
^- Thursday, a strong wind at north-west ; wch made y^ sea somewhat rough. Yet y*^ passengers by y® mercy of God were few of y"* sea-sicke. This day and two dayes
RICHARD Mather's journal. 19
iefore, we saw following y*' ship a little bird like a swal- J"'y )W called a Pitterill, wch they say doth follow ships iSainst foule weather. And wee saw also this afternoone y y^ shipside a great crampush as big as an oxe.
Friday, wind westerly ; so y^ we could gaine little. A jq. lyre day, and o*" people generally in good health. : Saturday, much like. ii.
The 3d Sabbath from Milford, and y^ 8th on ship 12, oard ; a very faire day, so y^ wee had liberty to serve jrod, without distraction and disturbance from weather. vlr. Maud was excercised in y^forenoone and I in y^after- loone. Wind south-ward.
j Munday, a foggy misty day, but a good gale of wind at ^3. outh and by east ; wch carried us apace after 10 leagues L wach.
Tuesday, also very foggy and misty ; wind southerly ; ^^' put about noone became calme.
' Wednesday, a strong wind, northerly ; which made y® 15. ea rough, yet we went about eight or nine leagues a wach. few of us were sea-sicke, tho: a wind not so strong and lea not so rough would in y^ beginning of o'' journey rave wrought more upon us ; but now we were better ised unto it.
Thursday, a fayre day ; tho: y^ wind beeing westerly ^^' carried us more to y*^ south -ward than else we desired. This day we saw with wonder and delight an innumera- ple multitude of porpuyses leaping and playing about the ship. Towards evening y^ wind was little.
Friday, calme in y*^ morning ; but afore noone y® wind 17.
20 RICHARD Mather's journal.
^"Jy waxed strong at north, and so continued all day ; and car- ried us a good speed in o'" course.
18. Saturday, wind north-west ; a fayre coole day. Weei saw this morning a great many of Bonnyetoes leaping anc playing about y^ ship : Bonyetoe is a fish somewhat big-; ger y" a cod but lesse than a porpuise. j
19. Sabbath, a fayre forenoone, but at noone the wind be-' came stiffe westward, wch was agt us. In y*^ afternoone^ it blew so loud y^ my voyce could scarce be heard, tho 1 extended it to y*' farthest y^ I could.
20. Monday, a foggy and misty day ; wind about north- west. We saw this day divers dolphins playing about y' ship ; and many sea-fowle, Hagbats, and others. j
^^- Tuesday morning, a great calme after an hot night.' This morning o'' seamen tooke a Bonyetoe, and opened him upon y^ decke ; of wch beeing dressed o^ master seni Mathew Michel and mee part, as good fish in eating, as could bee desired. About noone y*' wind became north-l east, good for o^ purpose, so y'^ wee went y^ afternoone nine or ten leagues a wach.
22. Wednesday, wind still about north-east, but not sc strong as y® day before. Now we saw every day abund^ ance of sea-fowle, as Pitterels, hagbats, &ic.
23. Tliursday morning, a fine gale of wind at north and b)^ east. Now we saw y*^ morning abundance of porpuyse^ and crampushes, leaping and spewing up water about y*i
- - !'
shippe. About 8 or 9 of y^ clocke y*^ wind blew morel stiffely, and wee went about 8 or 9 leagues a wach. Tc-i wards evening o'' seamen deemed y^ we were neere to.
RICHARD Mather's journal. 21
some land, because y® color of v^ water was chano;ed : J"'y but sounding with a line of an hundred and sixty fathom, they could find no bottome. It was a very could wind, like as if it had beene winter, wch made some to wish for more cloathes.
Friday, wind still northerly, but very faint. It was a ^^' great foggy mist, and exceeding coulde as it had beene December. One would have wondered to have scene y^ innumerable numbers of foule which wee saw swimming on every side of y® ship, and mighty fishes rowling and tumbling in y^ waters, twise as long and big as an oxe. In y® afternoone wee saw mighty whales spewing up water in y^ ayre like y*^ smoake of a chimney, and making y^ sea about them white and hoary as it is said Job [xli. 32] ; of such incredible bignes y* I will never wonder y* y*^ body of Jonas could bee in y^ belly of a whale. At evening o"* seamen sounded and found ground at 50 fathom.
Saturday morning they sounded againe and found no 25. bottom, conceiving thereby y^ wee were y^ day before on New-fond-land banke, on y*^ end of it neerer to New Eng- land. This day about 9 of y*^ clocke, y^ wind turned from beeing northerly, and came about by y*^ east unto y^ south ; and y® great fog vanished away, and it became a cleare sun-shine day. This day Mathew Michel and I taking notice y* ye hay and water waxed scarce, went to o*" M^ intreating him to tell us how farre he conceived us to want of o"" journeyes end, y* so wee might better know how to order o^ water and provisions for o'" cattel wch y*
were all alive and in good liking ; and he thereupon swui" 3#
2*2 RICHARD MATHER S JOURNAL.
J^"^iy med up all y® passages of our journey past, and conceiv'ed 250 leagues to be yet remayning unfinished. On Friday in y^ evening wee had an houre or two of marveylous de- lightful recreation, wch also was a feast unto us for many dayes after, while we fed upon y® flesh of three huge por- puyses, like to as many fat hogs striked by o^ seamen and haled with ropes into y*^ ship : y*^ flesh of y"^ was good meate with salt, peper, and vinegar ; y^ fat like fat bacon ; the leane like bull-beefe : and on Saturday evening they tooke another also. ^^- The 5tli Sabbath from Milford haven &t y*^ tenth on ship-board ; a fayre sunshine summer day, and would have beene very hot, had not God allayed y*^ heate with a good gale of southerly wind, by wch also wee were carried on in o^ journey after seven leagues a wach. I was excer- cised in y*^ forenoone and Mr. Maude in the afternoone. In the afternoone y*^ wind grew stronger ; and it was a rough night for wind and raine, & some had o"" beds y* night ill wett with raine leaking in through y^ sides of y®" ship.
27. Munday, wind still strong at south. This day wee spent much time in filling divers tunnes of emptied caske with salt water : wch was needfull, because much beere, fresh water, beefe, &£ other provisions being spent, y^ ship went not so well, being too light for want of ballast. When this worke was done wee set forth more saile, &i went y^ evening and all y^ night following with good speed in o^ journey.
28. Tuesday morning, a great calme, & very hot all y^
RICHARD Mather's journal. 23
forenoone ; o*" people &i cattel beeing much afflicted with J"iy faintnesse, sweating &i heate : but (loe y^ goodness of o'" God) about noone y*- wind blew at north and by east, wch called us from o*" heate and holpe us forward in o^" way. This afternoone there came and light upon o^' ship a little land-bird with blew colored feathers, about the bigness of a sparrow, by which some conceyved we were not farre from land.
Wednesday, not extreamely hot, hut a good gale of cool- 211. ing wind ; but yet beeing at y® west h by north it was against us in o"" way ; so y*' wee w^ere forced to tacke northward and southward &; gaj^ned little.
Thursday, wind still westerly ag^ us all y^ forenoone, ^^• but about one of y*^ clocke y*^ Lord remembered us in mercy, and sent us a fresh gale at south ; which though weake and soft, yet did not only much mitigate y*^ heate, but also holpe us something forward in o'" way. In y^ eve- ning about sun-setting, wee saw with admiration and de- light innumerable multitudes of huge crampushes rowling and tumbling about y^' sides of y'^ ship, spewing and puff- ing up water as they went, and pursuing great numbers of Bonytoes & lesser fishes : so marvellous to behold are y^ workes and wonders of the Almighty in y^ deepe.
Friday, a great foggy mist all y*^ forenoone, & y'^ wind 31. west north-w^est, which was agt us. In y'^ afternoone y^ mist vanished &i y*^ day cleared up, but y^ wind still agt us, so that wee gayned little, beeing forced to runne a by course, viz. north and by east, and at night to runne south- ward.
24 RICHARD Mather's journal.
Aug- Saturday morning, a coole wind at north, whereby w went on in o^' course an houre or two, tho: very slowlf because of the w^eakenesse of y^ wind. Aftenvards it became a great cahne ; and o'" seamen sounded about onel of y*^ clocke, and found ground at 60 fathom. Presently after another little land-bird came and light upon y*^ sayles' of y^ ship. In y** coole of y® evening (the calme still continuing) o'' seamen fished with hooke and line h tooke! cod, as fast as they could hale y'" up into the ship.
^^- The 6th Sabbath from Milford & y^ 1 1th on ship-board.! This day was a day of refreshing to us ; not only because of preaching &i prayers, wch wee enjoyed for y^ good ol' o*' soules ; but also by reason of abundance of fouie which wee saw swimming in y*^ sea, as a token of neerenesse oi land ; besides o^ bodyes fed sweetly on the fresh cod taken y'' day before, of which o*" M'' sent Mr. Maud & mee good store. And y*^ wind blew with a coole &i com- fortable gale at south all day, which carried us away with great speed towards o*' journey es end. So good was I o*" loving God unto us as alwayes, so also this day. Mr. Maud was excercised in y^ forenoone &. I in y^afternoone.j
3. But lest wee should grow secure, and neglect y^ Lord' through abundance of prosperity, o*" wise and loving God w^as pleased on Munday morning about three of y® clocke, w'^ wee were upon y® coast of land, to excercise us with a; sore storme & tempest of wind and raine : so y* many oli' us passengers with w ind & raine were raised out of o*" beds,: and o^" seamen were forced to let down all y*' sayles : and y*' ship was so tossed with fearefull mountaynes and val-
RICHARD Mather's journal. 25
eyes of water, as if wee should have beene overwhehned ^^"ff- >£ swallowed up. But y^ lasted not long : for at o*" poore )rayeres y® Lord was pleased to magnify his mercy in as- uaging y*^ winds &i seas againe about sun-rising. But y^ vind was become west ag^ us, so y^ wee floated upon y*^ "oast, making no dispach of way all y*^ day and the night bllowing ; and besides there was a great fog and mist all i^ day, so y* wee could not see to make land, but kept in ill sayle, and lay still, rather loosing y" gayning, but tak- ing abundance of cod and hallibut, wherewith o** bodyes »,vere abundantly refreshed after they had beene tossed with y** storme.
Tuesday : y^ fog still continued all forenoone : about 4. noone y^ day cleared up, and y*' wind blew with a soft gale at south, and wee set sayle againe, going on in o'' course, tho: very slowly because of the smalnesse of y® wind. At night it was a calme and abundance of raine. I Wednesday morning wee had a little wind at north, ^• but a foggy forenoone. In y*^ afternoone y^ day some- what cleared, but it became a calme againe. Thus y*^ Lord was pleased with foggy mists h want of winds to excercise o^" patience &: wayting upon his good leysure ; still keeping us from sight of land, when o' seamen con- ceyved us to bee upon y'^ coast. This day in y^ after- noone wee saw multitudes of great whales, which now was grown ordinary and usuall to behold.
Thursday, a foggy morning, after»vard a very hot day ^• and great calme ; so y^ wee could make noe way, but lay still floating upon y*' coast, and could not come to any sidit of land.
26 RICHARD Mather's journal.
A"ff. Friday morning, a great fog still ; and a slender soi wind at west south-west. In y^ aftemoone y® wind wak- ened, and wee went forward with good speed, tho: too farre-j northward, because y*^ wind was so much on y*^ west.
Saturday morning we had a good gale of wind at west south-west ; and this morning o"" seamen tooke abundance* of mackrell, and about eight of y*^ clocke wee all had aa cleare &i comfortable sight of America, and made land againe at an Hand called Menhiggin, an Hand withouti inhabitants about 39 leao;ues northward or north-east short of Cape Anne. A little from y® Band wee saw more! northward div^ers other Hands called St. George Hands, and y^ maine land of N. E. all along northward and east- ward as wee sayled. This mercy of o^ God wee had cause more highly to esteeme of, because when wee first saw land y^ morning, there was a great fog ; and after-' ward when y*^ day cleared up wee saw many rockes andi Hands almost on every side of us, as Menhiggin, St. George Hands, Pemmequid, &ic. Yet in y'' midst ofn these dangers o*" God preserved us, tho: because of y® thicke fog wee could not see farre about us to looke unto r o^ selves. In y® aftemoone y^ wind continuing still west- ward agt us wee lay off againe to y*^ sea southward, and o"" seamen and many passengers delighted y"^ selves in tak- • ing abundance of mackrell. 9 The seventh Sabbath from Milford, & y® 12th on i
ship-board. This day was a fayre, cleare, & comfortable day, tho: the wind was directly agt us ; so y* wee were forced to tacke too and againe southward and northward,
RICHARD MATHER S JOURNAL. 27
ia\'nino little, but were all day still in sidit of land. Mr. Aug. Vlaud in y® forenoone ; I in y^ afternoone.
Munday morning y® wind still continuing agt us, wee '*^- jame to ancre at Richmonds Hand, in y^ east part of V. E. ; y*^ bay of Massachusets whither wee were bound ying thirty leagues distant from us to y® west. O'" sea- nen were willing here to cast ancre, partly because y*^ vind was agt us, and partly because of necessity they . nust come to anci'e to take in a Pilot somewhere before vee came to y^ bay, by reason y^ o^* pilot knew y^ harbors 10 further but to the He of shoales. When wee came vithin sight of y*^ Hand y*" iilanters* there beeino but two *9''™''^^"'
^ •' •' ^ o fishers, lor
amilyes and about 40 persons were sore afraid of us ; ^''^ir chief loubting lest . wee had beene French come to pillage y^' nient was .land, as Penobscots had beene served by them about ten lays before. When wee were come to ancre, and their "eare was past, they came some of y'" aboard to us in y*" hallops, and wee went some of us ashoare into y^ Hand, o looke for fresh water and grasse for o'" cattell ; and y*^ )lanters bade us welcome, and gave some of us courteous mtertaynement in y' houses.
Tuesday wee lay still at ancre at Richmonds Hand, y^ ii. vind beino- still agt us.
Wednesday morning, y^ wind serving with a fresh gale J2. it north & by east, wee set sayle from Richmonds Hand or Massachusets bay, and went along y^ coast by Cape ?orpus still within sight of land. This day y^ wind was ;oft and gentle, and as wee went along o'' seamen and pas- lengers tooke abundance of mackrel. Towards night it
28 RICHARD Mather's journal.
Ang. became a calme, so that then wee could dispach Htthl! way.
13. Thursday morning y^ wind was agt us at south-south' west, and so had beene all night before ; so y^ wee tackec' too h fro gayning little ; but continuing on y'^ coast to wards Cape Anne, within sight of land for y** most part ' passing by Boone Hands, Agamenticus, he. This eve' ning our seamen desired to have ancred at Hog Hand, oi y^ He of Shoales, being 7 leagues short of Cape Anne, k^ 13 or 14 leagues from y^ He of Richmond ; but y*^ winfi being strong at south-southwest they could not atteyne y' purpose, and so were forced to lye off againe to sea all night. j
14. Friday morning y® wind was strong at south-south-westi and so continued till towards evening, and then was someti
^ what milder. This day wee tacked too & againe, all day, one while west h by north towards Hes of Shoales? another while east-south-east to sea againe ; Cape Anne^ whither o'" way was, lying from us south-south-wes directly in y*' eye of y*^ wind, so y' wee could not comi neere unto it. But y^ evening by moone-light about 1(1 of y® clocke wee came to ancre at y^ Hes of Shoalesj which are 7 or 8 Hands &£ other great rockes ; and ther<i slept sweetely y^ night till breake of day. I
15- But yet y*^ Lord had not done with us, nor yet had lej us see all his power and goodnesse which he would hav»^ us to take knowledge of ; and therefore on Saturday momi ing about breake of day, y*" Lord sent forth a most terribLl storme of raine and easterly wind, whereby wee were in
RICHARD Mather's journal. 29
much clanger as I thinke ever people were : for wee ^I'S St iii y^ morning three great ancres & cables ; of wch . ibles, one havmg cost 50£ never had beene in any water .More, two were broken by y*^ violence of y^ waves, and ' third cut by y*^ seamen in extremity and distresse, to save ' ship and their & o^ lives. And w" o*" cables and an- res were all lost, wee [had] no outward meanes of deliv- raiice but by loosing sayle, if so bee wee might get to y^ 3a from amongst y^ Hands & rockes where wee ancred •: ut y'^ Lord let us see y^ o*" sayles could not save us nei- icr, no more y" o'' cables & ancres ; for by y*' force of y^ vind &i raine y*' sayles were rent in sunder &: split in pieces, s if they had beene but rotten ragges, so y^ of y*^ fore- ayle and sprissle-sayle there was scarce left so much as .n hand-breadth, y* was not rent in pieces, & blown away nto y^ sea. So that at y*^ time all hope y* wee should be ■dved in regard to any outward appearance was utterly aken away, and y^ rather because wee seemed to dri^e vitli full force of wind h rayne directly upon a mighty :ocke standing out in sight above y^ water, so y^ wee did out continually wayte, when wee should heare and feele y^ dolefull rushing and crushing of y^ ship upon y*^ rocke. In y^ extremity and appearance of death, as distresse & dis- traction would suffer us wee cryed unto y^ Lord, and he was pleased to have compassion and pity upon us ; for by his overruling providence & his owne immediate good hand, he guided y^ ship past y® rocke, asswaged y^ vio- lence of y® sea, and y^ wind and raine, &t gave us a little respite to fit y® ship with other sayles, and sent us a fresh 4
30 RICHARD Mather's journal
A"g gale of wind at [blank] by wch wee went on y* day in o course south-west &t by west towards Cape Anne. I was a day much to bee remembered, because on y* day y Lord graunted us as wonderfull a deliverance as I thinkt ever people had, out of as apparent danger as I thinke eve people felt. I am sure o'' seamen confessed they neve: knew y^ like. The Lord so imprint y^ memory of it oi o^ hearts, y* wee may bee y^ better for it, & bee more care full to please him and to walke uprightly before bin as long as wee live ; and I hope wee shall not forget y® pas sages of y* morning untill o"" dying day. In y^ storme one Mr. Willet of New Plimouth, and other 3 men witl him, having beene turned out of all y'' havings at Penob- scot about a fourtnio;ht before, and comino; aloncj; with us ir o*" ship from Richmonds Hand, with his boate and goods in it made fast at y^ sterne of o^' ship, lost his boate witl! all that was therein, the violence of y*^ waves breaking y't boate in pieces, and sinking y*^ bottome of it into y^ bottomel of y*" sea. And Richard Becon lending his helpe to ylt seamen at y^ haling of a cable, had y*^ cable catched abou I his arme, whereby his arme was crushed in pieces, ancj his right hand pulled away, and himselfe brought into dole-i full and grievous paine and misery. But in all y^ griev-| ous storme, my feare was y*^ lesse, when I considered y*| clearenesse of my calling from God this way, and in somel measure (y*^ Lords holy name be blessed for it) he gave^ us hearts contented &i willing y*^ hee should do with usj and ours what he pleased, and what might bee most fori y*' glory of his name, &i in y^ we rested o"" selves. Bunj
'
RICHARD Mather's journal. 31
^hen newes was brought unto us into y^ gunroome y* y^ ^^"S- ianger was past, oh how o*" hearts did then relent &t melt Hithin us ! And how wee burst out into teares of joy inongst o^ selves, in love unto o^ gracious God, and admi- tition of his kindnesse in graunting to his poore servants lich an extraordinary and miraculous deliverance. His loly name bee blessed forever.
' This day wee went on towards Cape Anne, as y*^ wind 16.
l^ould suffer, h our poore sayles further, and came within
ight thereof y^ other morning ; which Sabbath, being y®
3 wee kept on ship-board, was a marveylous pleasant
ay, for a fresh gale of wind, & cleare sunshine weather.
!^his day wee went directly before y*' wind, and had de-
ght all along y^ coast as wee went, in viewing Cape
^nne, y^ bay of Saugust, y^ bay of Salem, Marvil head,
\illin point, and other places ; and came to ancre at low
ide in y^ evening at Nantascot, in a most pleasant harbor, "
ke to well I had never scene, amongst a great many
|»f Hands on every side. I was excercised on ship-board
)oth ends of y^ day. After y*' evenings excercise, when
t was flowing tide againe, wee set sayle, and came y'
light to ancre againe before Boston, and so rested y* night
vith glad &i thankefull hearts y^ God had put an end to
f long journey, being 1000 leagues, y^ is 3000 miles
English, over one of y® greatest seas in y^ world.
Now y^ o'' journey, by y® goodnesse of o"" God, was ^eiy prosperous unto us every manner of way. First of dl it was very safe, & healthfull to us ; for tho: wee were n y® ship 100 passengers, besides 23 seamen, & 23 cowes
32 RICHARD Mather's journal.
-Aug- and heyfers, 3 sucking calves & eight mares, yet not on of all these dyed by y^ way, neither person nor catt('l but came all alive to land, and many of y^ cattell in bet ter liking y" when wee first entered y^ ship ; and most c y^ passengers in as good health as ever, and none bette y" myne owne family, and my weake wife & little Josop as well as any other. Fevers, calentures, small pocket & such diseases as have afflicted other passengers y^ Lor kept from among us, and put upon us no griefe in c' bodyes, but a little sea-sicknesse in y^ beginning of y*^' voy aoe ; saving y^ 2 or 3 seamen had y^ flux, and Rich' Becon lost his right hand in y^ last storme, and one wo^ man and a little child of hers, towards y^ end of y® joui' ney, had y^ scurvy. The meanes of which infirmity iii her wee all conceyved to bee y^ want of walking ami stirring of her body upon y® decke ; her manner beeing ti sit much betweene y*^ deckes upon her bed. And a spe ciall meanes of y^ healthfulnesse of y*' passengers by y\ blessing of God wee all conceyved to bee much walkin, in y® open ayre, and y® comfortable variety of o*" food for seeing wee were not tyed to y^ ships diet, but di< victuall o'' selves, wee had no want of good and whole some beere h bread ; and as o^" land-stomaches grew" wear of ship diet, of salt fish & salt beefe and y^ like, wee ha* liberty to change for other food which might sort bette with o'' healthes and stomaches ; and therefore sometime:^ wee used bacon &t buttered pease, sometimes butterec bag-pudding made with curraynes and raisins, and some! times drinke pottage of beere &i oate-meale, and sometime! water pottage well buttered.
RICHARD Mather's journal. 3^
And tho: we had two stormes by y® way, y® one upon Aug. Sunday y^ 3d of August, y*' other on Saturday y*^ 15th f y^ same, yet o^ gracious God (blessed and forever bless- ed bee his name) did save us all alive in y"' both, &£ peedily assuaged y™ againe. Indeed y*^' latter of y™ was ^ery terrible and grievous, insomuch y* w" wee came to and wee found many mighty trees rent in pieces in y*^ nidst of y^ bole, and others turned up by y*^ rootes by y^ iercenesse thereof : and a barke going from y*^ bay to Mar- /il head, with planters & seamen therein to y*' number of ibout 23, was caste away in y^ storme, and all y*^ people .herein perished, except one man &: his wife, that were 5pared to report y^ newes. And y^ Angel Gabriel beeing f^ at ancre at Pemmaquid, was burst in pieces and cast away in y*^ storme, & most of y^ cattell and other goodes, mth one seaman & 3 or 4 passengers did also perish therein, besides two of y^ passengers y* dyed by y*' way, Y^ rest having y^ lives given y'" for a prey. But y^ James &£ wee y* were therein, with o^' cattell &i goods, were all preserved alive. The Lords name be blessed forever.
2ly. It was very delightfull, while wee tooke pleasure ,& instruction in beholding y^ workes & wonders of y® Almighty in y'^ deepe ; y^ sea sometimes beeing rough with mighty mounteynes and deepe valleyes, sometimes , againe plaine and smooth like a levell meadow, and some- times painted with variety of yellow weedes : besides it was a pleasant thing to behold y*' variety of fowles &i .mighty fishes swimming and living in y® waters. j 31y. It was comfortable to us, by meanes of y^ fellow- ' 4*
34 RICHARD Mather's journal.
A"g. ship of divers godly Christians in y^ ship, h by mea of o^ constant serving God morning &i evening every cw y'^ dayly dutyes beeing performed one day by ]\lr. Ma another by myselfe, and y^ Sabbath excercises divii (for y*' most part) equally betwixt us two.
Tme it is o^ journey was somewhat long ; for tho: ft' Munday y^ 22d of June, w" wee lost sight of our o English coast, untill Saturday y® 8th of August w" \ made land againe at Menhiggin, it was but six wee.j &: 5 dayes, yet from o'" first entering y^ship in King roa on Saturday y*^ 23 of May, till o"^ landing at Boston N. E. on Munday y*' 17th of August, it was 12 weel &; 2 dayes. For wee lay at ancre in King roade 1 1 da} before wee ever set sayle, h 3 dayes at Lundy & dayes at Mil ford, and spent 3 dayes in tacking betweej King roade &£ Lundy, one day between Lundy h Milfoil &t 8 dayes betweene Menhiggin & Boston. Nevertl: lesse o^ God preserved us all y^ while, and wee had o portunity by these often delayes to take in more hay oates & frech water, and arrived in a good conditio Agayne let our gracious God be blessed forever. Amer
THE
LIFE --1 DEATH
" OF
That Reverend Man of G O D,
My. RICHARD MATHER,
TEACHER of the CHURCH IN
Chester
IN
/»
PsaL 112. 6. The Righteous shall be had in everlasting
remembrance. Heb. 13. 7. Remember them ivho have spoken to you the
Word of God. Rev. 14. 13. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord :
they rest from their labours, and their works follow
them.
Ministri vita censura & cynosura.
CAMBRIDGE: Printed by S. G. and M. J. 16 7 0.
[Boston : Reprinted by David Clapp. 1850.]
TO THE
AND
INHABITANTS
t OF
DORCHESTER in iV. E.
Grace unto you from God by Jesus Christ. Beloved in the Lord Jesus,
YOii have here presented to your view, and for your Imitation in the Lord, the Life of him that was to many of you a Spiritual ( as to me a Natural ) Father : inasmuch as the greatest pari of his time in the Ministry he was a Labourer in the Lords Harvest amongst you ; Also with you did he finish his course. There is therefore special reason why what is here done should be directed to your selves.
The Composer of this ensuing Relation is not ivilling that his Name should be published. But it is done by one who hath had the viewing of my Father'' s Manu- scripts ; from whence, as ivell as from personal and intimate Acquaintance of many years continuance , and other wayes, he hath been truly furnished with the
knowledge
I
( 40)
knowledge of ivJiat is here reported. And indeed the greatest jxirt of the Story is knoivii unto sundry amongst your selves.
What remaineth then, Brethren and Beloved in the Lord , but that ive shoidd be mindfull ofivhat is by the Lord required, ivhen the Scripture saith, Remember them that have taught [and not onely them that do teach) the Word of God, whose faith follow, consider- ing the end of their conversation. What that Doctrine of Faith is ivhich your blessed Teacher did from the Lord instruct you in, I need not say ; onely Remember it. Remember his Farewell Exhortation, i^^teA is noiv in many of your Houses, aiul Oh that it were in cdl your Hearts. And as for his Conversation, your selves know that God made him Exemplar ily Faithfidl, Zealous, Patient, Humble, Holy : Follotv him as he folloived Christ. So likewise pray that he may do ivho is
Boston Scptemh 6. Yours in the Lord alwayes,
N.E. 1670. ^ '
Increase Mather,
THE
( 41 )
I ■
'' ^^*iii! A A A A
THE
LIFE Sl death
0 F Mr. Richard Mather.
^He Writing and Reading of the Lives of Worthy Ones , hath been by some accounted amongst the most profitable works of men under the Sun. The Labours of some Learned amongst the Gentiles this way have not been alto- gether without benefit, witness what is done by Plu- tarch, Laertiiis, Phllostratus, Eunapius, Pliny, &c. albeit they are to be read with judgement. But espe- cially the faithful Description of the Lives of those who have been Eminent Teachers in the Church, hath been to the great advantage of after- Ages. Many have reaped benefit by reading Dorotheus his Collection of the Lives of the Prophets, Apostles, and Seventy Disci- ples of Christ : And ( not to speak of the Labours of Gennadius, Epiphaniiis, Isidore, and Prochorns of old) among later Writers, Shopjius his Academia Chi'isti, and Tossanus concerning the Lives of the Fathers^ and Melchior Adam concerning the Lives of all our Modern Divines, as farre as he could by any means come to the knowledge thereof. The pains which 5 Mr.
i
42 The Life and Death of
Mr. Clark hath taken in publishing the Lives of man; of our Enghsh Worthies, hath been profitable to no a few : And great pity it is that more should not b( done that way. If the Lives of Bnghiman, Parker Ames, Burroughs, Hooker, &c. were published to tin World, it might be of general advantage. Nor is i to be doubted but that there have been many famou. in their Generations, whose Memories are buried ii the dust, for Avant of some one to undertake this office ' whereby their Names might have been perpetuated tc Posterity.
Vixere fortes ante Agamemnona Multi : Sed illachrymabiles Urgentur ignotiq, long a Nocte ; Carent quia vate Sacro.
But it must needs be in it self a thing pleasing to' God, that his grace towards and in his Servants, and the wonders of his Providence about them, should be< kept in remembrance. Therefore some have written their own Lives. So did (not to mention Josejyhus, Bellarmine, Cardan) amongst our Worthies, Junius, Collinus, Buchanan ; and of our own Nation, Bale, Burton, Hall, Bodly, &c. And the like did this Rev-- erend Man who is to be the Subject of the ensuing: Discourse essay to do ; and proceeded therein to the 39^'* year of his Age, but finished not Avhat he had purposed. It remaineth therefore that some other
should
Mr. Richard Mather. 43
fiould do it, which we shall in the following words f truth and plainness endeavour to do.
T^Here is in the Parish of Winwick in the County of -*- Lancaster, a small Country Town or Village call- d Lowton : In which Village Richard Mather was •orn Arino 1596. His Parents Thomas and Marga' ite Mather were of Ancient Famihes in Lowton afore- aid, but by reason of some unhappy Mortgages they v^ere reduced unto a low condition as to the World. Nevertheless, God so disposed their hearts, that they vere willing to Educate this their Son in good Learn- ng : Concerning which he (after that the Lord was )leased to bestoAv not onely Learning but Grace upon lim) hath sometimes expressed himself, saying. By chat principles and motives my Parents were chiefly nduced to keep 7ne at School, I have not to say, nor do I certainly knoio : But this I must needs say, that this vas the singular good Providence of God toivards me, who hath the hearts of all men in his hand) thus to 'ncline the hearts of my Parents ; for in this thing the Lord of Heaven shewed me such favc^ur, as had not been shelved to many my Predecessors and Contempora- 'ies in that place.
Now his Parents being strongly bent in spirit to iiave their Son a Scholar, they sent him to Winwick School, which was about four miles distant from his Fathers house. In the Winter season they boarded him at Winvnck ; but such was his desire after know- ledge,
44 The Life and Death of
ledge, that in the summer he travelled every day thither. WhiPst he was thus at School he met with no small discouragement, for that the Schoolmaster under whom he was, although he had an excellent \ faculty for teaching in Grammar-Learning, and many} were trained up by him, so as to be sent unto Oxford \ and Cambridge, for Instruction in higher Studies ; yel' was he very severe and partial in his discipline. Junius > was almost quite discouraged from his Studies, whem being a School boy his Master would beat him eight' times in a day whether in fault or in no fault : The like Magisterial harshness caused him of whom we write, , earnestly desire that his Father would take him fromi School, and dispose of him to some other Calling. . Himself afterwards, when he had waded through these ' difficulties, would say, God intended better for me, them I would have chosen for my self; and thei'efore my Fa-- ther, though in other things indulgent enough, yet in * this would never condescend to my request, but by put-" ting me in hope that by his speaking to the Master, . things woidd be amended, would still ovej'rule me to go on in my Studies / (^^tid good it was for me to be over- ruled by him, arid his discretion, rather then to be left to my own affection and desire. But Oh that all School- masters would learn Wisdome, Moderation and Equity towards their Scholars, and seek rather to win the hearts of Children by righteous, loving, and cowteous usage, then to alie7iate their minds by partiality and undue severity, ivhich had been my utter wuloing, had not the
good
Mr. Richard Mather. " 4S
^ood Providence of God, and the Wisdome and Au- Ihority of my Fathei' prevented. But thus was that of the Poet made good :
Malta tulit fecitq, Puer sudavit Sf alsit, Qui capit optatam cursu contingere metam.
After that he had spent sundry years in this School, ?ome Popish Merchants coming out of Wales to War- nng-ion, which is two miles from Wlnwick, were in- quisitive whether there were not any pregnant Wits in that School whom they might procure for Appren- tices. Presently Richard Mather was mentioned to them as a pregnant Youth : Whereupon application was made accordingly to his Father, who was incline- able to accept of this Motion, because now his Estate was so decayed, that he almost despaired of bringing ap this his Son as he had intended. But here the Finger of Divine Providence was observable ; for when his Father was ready thus to part with his Son, and his Child to go, the Lord raised up the heart of his Master, to be importunate with his Father still to keep him at School, professing that it was great pity that a Wit so prone to Learning should be taken from it, (as indeed it was) or that he should be undone by Popish Education. The Perswasions of the Master so farre prevailed, as that his Scholar was continued under him, until the fifteenth year of his Age.
It was a mercy to him, that whil'st he was yet in _his Minority, he enjoyed the publick Ministry of one 5* Mr,
46 The Life and Death of
Mr. Palm, then Preacher at Leag-h ; of whom he would say, that the remembrance of that man was ^ Comfortable and Honourable in his thoughts, even in his old Age, though his knowledge of him was in his Childhood : He then observed such a plain, power- full, and piercing efficacy in Mr. Palins Ministry, as was not to be seen in the common sort of Preachers in those dayes, by means w^hereof some Illumination, though not a thorough Conversion, was wrought in him.
Having been thus long kept at School, he was called to leave his Fathers Family. The occasion whereof was this. At a place called Toxteth Park near Liverpool, there dwelt a wise and Religious Peo- ple, who being desirous of the good of themselves and their Posterity, intended to erect a School amongst them, for the Education of their Children. It came into their mindes to send unto the Schoolmaster of Winwick, to enquire whether he had any of his Schol- ars whom he would recommend unto them for such a service : who having received their desires, forth-- v/ith communicated the same to this his Scholar, and ! to his Father, to see if the Motion would stand with their acceptance. He was desirous rather to have gone to the University, but his Father closed with the Offer ; whence it was in fine mutually embraced, so that he removed from his Fathers house to Toxteth {Anno 1611.) there to teach School. Nor is it any disparagement to his Worth that he was once a
Schoolmaster ;
Mr. Richard Matlur. 47
Schoolmaster ; for very eminent Divines have been so, as of our own Nation, Mr. Hleron, Mr. WhUaker^ Mr. Vines, not to mention others, but rather an Emi- nency ; the like seldome known, that one should be found fit to be a Schoolmaster at fifteen years of Age : Yet the Lord helped him in those his young years to carry it with such Wisdome and Love and Gravity amongst his Scholars as was to admiration, so as that he was by them both loved and feared, beyond what is usual, even where there are aged Masters. . His being thus employed Avas more wayes than one advantageous to him : for by this means he became a more accurate Grammarian than Divines usually are. Being also diligent in his Studies whil'st he con- tinued in this way of Imployment, he became a Pro- ficient in other Arts, as in Logick, Rhetorick, yea and in Theology. Moreover, it afterwards appeared to be of God, that he was Called to such a Work in such a place, for there the effectual Conversion of his Soul unto the Lord, was wrought in his tender years, even afore his going to Oxford ; whence he was pre- served from those Corruptions which undid many of his Contemporaries, through the Temptation w4iieh in the University they met with. The means of his Conversion was partly by seeing a strange difference between himself and sundry in that godly Family, where Divine Providence had cast his Lot in Toxteth^ viz. the Family of Mr. Edward Aspinwcdl, who was a Learned and Rehgious Gentleman. Now he ob- served
48 The Life and Death of
served lliat the way and walking of that holy man, was' such as himself had not as yet been accustomed unto, \ which caused sad fears to arise in his Soul, lest haply 5' he might not be in the way which leadeth unto Eter- '^ nal Salvation. Also Mr. Harrison^ then a famous iNlinister at Hijton^ Preaching upon Joh. 3. 3. concern- ing the necessity of Regeneration, and at the same time reading a Book of Mr. Perkins his, shewing how farre a Reprobate may go, God blessed these three things not onely to Co7ivictio7i, but to Conversion, This was Anno 1614. The pangs of the New Birth were exceedingly terrible to him, inasmuch as many times when they were at Meals in the Family where he sojourned, he would absent himself to retire under hedges and other secret places, there to lament his misery before God. But after some time, the Lord revived his broken heart, by sending the holy Spirit in the Ministry of the Word to apply the Precious Promises of the Gospel to his Soul.
Being thus become a Neio Creature, he was the more eminently a Blessing in the Family, and in the Calling which the Lord had disposed of him in : And such notice was taken of him, as that even from places remote Children were sent unto him for Instruc- tion and Education ; and many were, by the Lords blessing upon his Endeavours, fitted for, and sent unto the University. Some years having been past over in this way of Employ, he resolved ( uvv d-sco ) to spend some time in one of the Universities, as appre- hending
Mr. Richard Mather. 49
lending that there, by converse with Learned men, md other Advantages not elsewhere to be had, he night gain more then by his private Studies in the Country. Accordingly he went to Oxford^ and con- inued for some time there in Brazen-Nose Colledge. Being there, he was variously affected : for it was a oy to him to linde many there who had been his quon- iam Scholars. It was also a joy to him that he had such leisure to follow his Studies, and by Disputations, Lectures, Books, Conferences with Learned men, Sfc. marvellous Advantages to obtain a Treasure of Knowledge. But his heart being afore this touched with the fear of God, the great Superstition and Pro- phaness which he was forced there to behold, was no small grief unto him.
Soon after his coming to Oxford^ he came into Ac- quaintance with the Learned Doctor Worall, who was helpful to him in directing him as to the course of his private Studies. Amongst other things, he advised to reade the Works of Peter Ramus ; which counsel he followed, and saw no cause to repent of his so doing. But before he had spent so much time in Oxford as he could have wished that he might have done ; the People in Toxteth^ whose Children had been taught by him, sent to him, desiring that he would return unto them to instruct not so much their Children as themselves, and that not in meer Humane Literature, but in the things of God. This Call, after due Consideration, for weighty Reasons he accepted
of.
50 The Life and Death of
of. Being tlien returned to Toxteth^ he Preached his I first Sermon November 30. 1618. There was a very- great Concourse of people to hear him, and his La- bours were highly accepted of by the judicious : Such was the vastness of his Memory, as that the things which he had prepared and intended to deliver at once, contained no less than six long Sermons. The people having had some taste of his Gifts, were the more importunate in their desires that he might con- tinue amongst them. And because that could not be without Episcopal Ordination, they urged him to ac- cept thereof: Not having at that time so throughly looked into that part of Ceremonious Confoi'mity as afterwards, he yielded unto the Motion ; and accordingly was Ordained (with many others on the same day) by Doctor Morton then Bishop of Chester, \ after the Mode of those Times. The Ordination be- ing over, the Bishop singled out Mr. Mather from amongst the rest, saying, / have something' to say to you betwixt you and vie alone. Mr. Mather was then afraid lest some Informations might have been given in to the Bishop against him because of his Pu?'itan' ism, thereby to prejudice him ; but it hapned to be otherwise : for when the Bishop had him alone, I have (saith he) an earnest Request unto you, and you must not deny me ; It is that you ivoidd pray for me : for I know (said he) the Prayers of men that fear God will avail much, and you I believe are such an one. Never- theless, after that the Lord gave him to see the evil
of
Mr. Richard Mather. 51
of the sin of Conformity in the whole latitude of it, (tor as to the substance of Conformity, even from his first entrance upon the Ministry he saw the evil there- of, and was by Divine Grace kept from being stained tlierewith) his Conforming (although it was at the desires of his people) to accept of this Ordination from the Prelate^ was no small grief of heatt to him. Many years after, one of his Sons taking notice of a torn Parchment in his Fathers Study, enquired what it is ; unto whom his Father replied, That he received that when he was Ordained by the Bishop : Aiid (said he) I tore it, because I took no pleasure in keeping' a monument of my sin and folly in submitting to that Superstition, the very remembrance whereof is grievous to me.
Being as hath been related, settled in the Ministry at Toxteth, he resolved to change his single condition : And accordingly he became a Suitor to Mrs. Katha- rine Hoult, Daughter to Edmund Hoult, Esq ; of Bury in Lancashire. She had (and that deservedly) the repute of a very godly and prudent Maid. The Motion for several years met with Obstructions, by reason of her Fathers not being affected towards Non- conformable Puritans : But at last he gave his Con- sent that Mr. Mather should marry his Daughter ; the Match therefore was Consummated Septemb. 29. 1624. God made her to become a rich Blessing to him, continuing them together for the space of above 30 years. By her God gave him six Sons ; four
whereof
52 The Life and Death of
whereof {viz. Samuel, Timothy, Nathaniel and Joseph) \ were born in England, and two {viz. Eleazer and In- : crease)) in Neiv-En gland. After his Marriage heic removed his Habitation three miles from Toxleth, to Much' Woolton, having there purchased an House of his own ; yet he was wont constantly Summer and Winter to Preach the Word at Toxteih upon the Lords-dayes. During his abode there, he was abund- n ant in Labours in the Gospel : For every Lords-day he Preached twice at Toxteth, and once in a Fort- 1 night on the Third day of the Week he kept a Lecture • at the Town of Prescot. Also, faithful and powerful Preaching being then rare in those parts, he did fre- ; quently Preach upon the Holy dayes (as they are ^ called) being often thereunto desired by godly Christ- -i ians of other Parishes in that Country : And this he \ did, not as thinking that there was any Holiness in i| those times (or in any other day besides the Lords- j day) beyond what belongs to every day ; but because •: then there would be an opportunity of great Assem- blies, and it is good casting the Net where there is much Fish : for which cause it might be that the Apostles Preached mostly in Populous Towns and Cities, and also (which suiteth with what we are speaking) on the Jewish Sabbaths after their abroga- tion as to any Religious tye upon Conscience for their observation. Yea and besides all this, he often Preached at Funerals. It is true that Cartwright, Sherwood, Hildersham, and many other Renowned
Non-Conformists,
Mr. Richard Mather. 53
^on-Conformists, have scrupled Preaching Funerall Sermons; Also in some Reformed Churches that )ractice is wholly omitted, yea and Decrees of Coun- iiils have sometimes been against it ; but that hath )een chiefly upon account of that Custome of Prais- ng the dead upon such occasions, and that many imes untruly : Which Custome (as many Learned nen have observed) is Ethnically having its rise from he Funeral Orations of the Heathen. Publicola uade an excellent Oration in Praise of Brutus^ which ;he People were so taken with, that it became a Cus- ome that Famous men dying should be so praised, md when (as Plutarch saith in the Life of Camillus) he Women amongst the Romans parted with their jrolden Ornaments for the Publick Good, the Senate iecreed, That it should be lawful to make Funeral Drations for them also. Hinc mortuos laudandi mos iuxii quern nos hodie serimmus. Pol. Verg. de Rer. In- pent, lib. 3. cap. 10. Nor indeed was this Rite prac- I ised in the Church afore the Apostacy began. Vide Magd. Cent. 4. Cap. 6. Wherefore this faithful Ser- s-ant of the Lord avoided that practice, his speech at Funerals being taken up not with Praising the Dead, 3ut with Instructing the Living concerning Death, ;he Resurrection, the Judgement to come, and the ike seasonable Truths. Thus did he Preach the Word, being instant in season and out of season, re- proving, rebuking, exhorting, with all long-suffering and doctrine. In his publick Ministry in England he 6 went
^ The Life and Death of
went over 2 Samuel^ Chap. 24. Psalm 4. and Psalm 16. Proverbs^ Chap. 1. Isaiah, Chap. 1. and C^r?;?. 6. Luke, 22 and 23 Chapters. Romans, Chap. 8. 1; 2 Epist. to Timothy ; 2 Epist. of /o^7i ; and the ( Epistle of J"wc?e.
After that he had thus painfully and faithfully spent i fifteen years in the Work of the Ministry, he thalji holds the Stars in his right hand, had more work for him to do elsewhere ; and therefore the rage of Sa-« tan and wrath of men must be suffered to break forth, untill this choice Instrument had his mouth stopped m unrighteousness. The Lecture which he kept at Prescot caused him to be much taken notice of, and so was the more unto the Adversaries of the Truth an object of Envy. Magnam famam Sf magnami quietem eodem tempore nemo potest acquirere. Quint; "Wherefore Complaints being made against him for Non-Conformity to the Ceremonies, he was by the Prelates Suspended. This was in August, Anno 1633. Under this Suspension he continued untill November following : But then, by means of the Intercession oi some Gentlemen in Lancashire, and by the influence of Simon Byby (a near Alliance of the Bishops) he' was restored again to his Publick Ministry. After his Restauration he more fully searched into, and alsoi in his Ministry handled the Points of Church- Disci-' pline. And God gave him in those dayes not onely^ to see, but also to Instruct others in the Substance oi the Congregationall' Way, which came to pass by his
much
Mr. Richard Mather. 55
nuch reading of the holy Scriptures, and his being /ery conversant in the Writings of Cartwright, Par- eery Baynes, and Ames. But this restored Liberty continued not long ; for Anno 1634. Bishop Neal (he vho was sometimes by King James pleasantly admon- ished of his Preaching Popery, because of his car- riage he taught the people to pray for a blessing upon lis dead Predecessor) being now become Archbishop ^f Yorky sent his Visitors into Lancashire; of whom Doctor Cousins (whose Cozening Devotions Mr. Pryn iiath made notorious to the World) was one : These ^/^isitors being come into the Country ^era ndlTi; cpav. ■aalag^ kept their Courts at Wigan; where, amongst [nany other unrighteous proceedings, having Mr. Ma- Iher convened before them, they passed a Sentence of Suspension against him, meerly for his Non-Confor- mity to the Inventions of men in the Worship of God. [t was marvellous to see how God was with him, 3ausing a Spirit of Courage and of Glory to rest upon him, and filling him with wisdome when he btood before those Judges, who were not wiUing that he should speak for himself, or declare the Reasons ^vhich convinced his Conscience of the unlawfulness bf that Conformity which they required. Concern- ing the Lords presence with him at that time, himself doth in a Manuscript left in his Study thus express it: In the passages of that day, I have this to bless the Name of God for^ that the terrour of their threatening words, of their Pursevants, and of the rest of their
Pomp,
56 The Life and Death of
Pomp, did not so terrifie my minde, but that I could ' stand before them without being' daunted in the least measure, but answered for my self such words of tndh and soberness as the Lord put into my mouth, not bei)ig afraid of their faces at cdl : which supporting and cam- for ting presence of the Lord I count not much less mercy, then if I had been altogether preserved oid oj their hands. \
Being thus silenced from Publick Preaching the Word, means was again used by Mr. Mathers friends to obtain his Liberty ; but all in vain. The Visitor | asked how long he had been a Minister ? Answer was made, That he had been in the Ministry fifteen years. And (said he) how often hath he worn the Surpless ? Answer was returned, that he had never worn it. What (said the Visitor, swearing as hc' spake it) preach Fifteen years and never wear a Sur-\ pless ? It had been better for him that he had gotten Seven Bastards. This was a Visitors judgement.!
Wherefore the case being thus, he betook himself to a private life : and no hope being left of enjoying Liberty again in his Native Land ; foreseeing also ( Sapiens Divinat) the approaching Calamities of Eng- land, he meditated a Re mo vail into NewSngland. The principall Arguments whereby he was Convinced that he had a Divine Call to engage in so great and hazardous a Design, he drew up together, and put them into form. Which because they are of weight,
and
Mr. Richard Mather. ^
and because Posterity may thereby see what were the swaying Motives which prevailed with the First- fathers of N. E. to venture upon that unparallell'd Undertaking, even to Transport themselves, their Wives and Little ones, over the rude Waves of the vast Ocean, into a Land which was not sown; We shall therefore here insert them.
" Arguments tending to prove the Removing " from Old-England to New^ or to some " such like place, to be not onely lawful, " but also necessary for them that are not " otherwise tyed, but free.
ARGUMENT I.
Propos. npO remove from a corrupt Church to " a purer, is necessary for them " that are not otherwise tyed, hut free : as ap- '* pears,
" 1. If a purer Church be a better gift then a cor- " rupter Church, the aforesaid Removing mentioned " in the Proposition, is necessary. " The reason of the Consequence is. Because we " are commanded to choose the best gifts, 1 Cor. 12. "3L
" But a purer Church is a better gift then a Church , '' more corrupt. Ergo.
6^ "2. If
58 The Life and Death of
I
'* 2. If we should not unnecessarily endanger our ** selves to be corrupted, then the Removing mentioned ** in the Proposition, is necessary. ** The Reason of the Consequence is, Because by ** staying voluntarily in places corrupt, we do endan- '^ ger our selves to be corrupted, 1 Cor, 5. 6. Eccles. 9.
" But that is forbidden by the sixth Commandment.
'' Ergo.
'' 3. If we ought not to behold evil voluntarily,
*' then the Removing mentioned in the Proposition, is
'' necessary.
*' The Reason of the Consequence is. Because by.
^* staying voluntarily in corrupt places, when we are
** free to remove, w^e do behold evil voluntarily. ^
^' But that we ought not, Psal. 119. 37. Ergo.
Assumption. *' But to remove from England to ** N. E. or some such like place, is to remove ^'from a corrupter Church to a purer. Ergo.
ARGUMENT II.
Propos. *' To remove from a place ivhere the " Truth and the Professors of it are persecute " ed, unto a place of more quietness and safety y " is necessary for them that are free.
This appears by these Arguments ; viz.
'n. That
Mr. Richard Mathei'. 59
" 1. That which hath a Divine Commandment for " it, is necessary.
" But so it is here, Matth. 10. 23. " 2. That which halh the imitable and commended " Example of Christ, and other faitliful Servants of "God for it, is necessary, Mat, 1L2^. 1 Pet. 2. 2L " 1 Joh. 2. 6. PA/7. 3. 17.
" But to remove from Persecution hath the imitable " Example of Christ, Matth. 2. 14. & 12. 15. Luke <' 4. 10. Joh. 8. 59. & 10. 39. And of other faithful " Servants of God, viz. of Elias, 1 Kings 19. 3. Mo- "565, Exod. 2. 15. Pa///, Acts 9. 25. Ergo. " 3. If not removing from Persecution when a man " is not otherwise tyed, but free, be a Tempting of " God, an exposing of ones self to unnecessary dan- ^ " ger, and so against the sixth Commandment ; Then " the removing mentioned in the Proposition of this " second Argument, is necessary. " But the former is true. Ergo. " 4. If not removing from Persecution when a man "is free, be a wrong to the Church, then the Proposi- " tion is true.
" The Reason of the Consequence is. Because we '" ought not to wrong, but to seek the benefit and sal- " vation of the Church and Elect of God, as far as is " in us, 1 Cor. 10. 33. 2 Tim. 2. 10. .. " But not removing as aforesaid is a wrong to the ," Church, because it depriveth the Church of the be- " nefit of such a mans life and pains, as might if he
" had
60 The Life and Death of
' had peace and liberty, be profitable to the Church ' whereas a voluntary staying in places of Persecu- ' tion, Sfc. doth hinder profit and benefit which the ' Church might receive by such a man. ' 5. Because a mans frailty is oft-times more ther ' he knovveth of, and in a time of triall will utter ili ' self, as appears by the Professors revolted in the ' Palatinate. This infirmity of mans Nature made ' Ridley to counsel those that were not taken to avoid ' the Realm ; and Mr. Bradford on the same ground ' giveth the same counsel to Erkiiiald Rawlins and ' his wife. Acts Sf Mon. Vol. 3. pag. 518. 8f pag. 319.
Assumpt. " But to remove from Old England *' to New, is to remove from a place where the " Truth and Professors of it are persecuted,, ** to a place of more quietness. Ergo.
ARGUMENT III.
Propos. " To remove from a place where we " cannot enjoy all the Ordinances of God, ^'needful to the well being of Churches and ^^ particular Christians in regard of their " Spiritual estate, unto a place ivhere we may, " is necessary for them that are free,
" 1. Because we are commanded to seek all Spi- '' ritual blessings, with all the means of the same, '' Matih.e.SS. Josh. 6.27. Col.d.l.
"2. Be-
Mr. Richard Mather, 61
" 2. Because the Spouse of Christ will not rest " seeking her Beloved, till she finde him in the fullest " means, CauL 1. 7. 4^ 3. 1, 2, 3.
" 3. Because there is none of the Ordinances of " God, but they are needful and profitable for the " preservation and growth of Churches and Christians " in grace. To think any of them not needful, or not " profitable, were to disparage the VVisdome of him *' that appointed them.
" 4. Because if it be necessary to remove for the " enjoying of some of Gods Ordinances, it is necessary *' to remove for the enjoying of all, and in the want ^' of any one.
" The Reason of the Consequence is. Because it " cannot be shew^ed from Scripture, at what Ordinance " a man is set at liberty from seeking any further by " removing. And another Reason is, Because as " some are not of necessity to the beeing and estate of " a true Church, or a true Christian, no more are " any : And as some are necessary to the well-being " of a true Church and a true Christian, even so are " all.
Assumpt. '''But that the Removal is necessary ''for the enjoyment of some of Gods Ordi- ''nances, as for Preaching of the Word, will " not he denied. Ergo.
ARGUM.
62 The Life and Death of
ARGUMENT IV.
''
Propos. *' To remove from a Church where the '' Discipline of Christ is ivanting, to a Church " ivhere it may be enjoyed, is necessary to '' them that are free,
" 1. If Discipline be an Ordinance of Christ, then
" the Removing mentioned in the fourth Argument, is
'' necessary.
" The Reason of the Consequence is, Because the
'' voluntary wanting any Ordinance of Christ is sinful.
" Besides the third Argument shewed, That Remo-
" val for the enjoying of all Gods Ordinances, is
" necessary to them that are free.
" But Discipline is an Ordinance of Christ, Matth,
" 16. 19. & 18. 17. Ergo,
" 2. If Discipline be a part of Christs Kingdome,
" and a necessary and effectual means for preserving
" the Church, and the other Ordinances from cor-
" ruption ; then the removing mentioned in the
" Proposition is necessary.
" The Reason of the Consequence is. Because the
" voluntary wanting any part of Christs Kingdome,
" any necessary and effectual means to preserve the
" Church from Corruption, is sinful, Luke 19. 14, 27.
" Psal. 2. 3. Second Petition in the Lords Prayer.
^' But Discipline is a part of Christs Kingdome, a
'' necessary and effectual means, &c. Isa. 9. 6. 1 Cor.
'' 15. 24. Ergo.
''3. If
Mr. Richard Mather, 63
" 3. If removing from a Family where is no ^* Government or good order for suppressing of sia " and wickedness, lo another where is, be necessary '•' for one that is free ; then the removing mentioned in *' the Proposition of this fourth Argument is necessary. " The Reason of the Consequence is, Because there is one and the same Reason for both. " But removing from such a Family is necessary for " one that is free. Because a voluntary staying in places of danger is a tempting of God. Ergo.
Assiimpt. *' But to remove from Old England " to New, is to remove from a Chwxh where *' the Discipline of Christ is wanting^ to a " Church tvhere it 7nay he enjoyed. Ergo.
ARGUMENT V.
Propos. '' To remove from a place where the " Ministers of God are unjustly inhibited from *' the execution of their Functions^ to a place " where they may more freely execute the same, " is necessary to them that are not otherivise *' tyed, but free. < 1. God hath sometimes commanded a removing ' in such a case as this, Mic. 2. 6, 10. Acts 22. 18. « 2. The godly have practised a removal in such a ' case, 2 Chron. 11. 14, 16. Acts 13. 46.
3. The Ministers gifts and talents should not be
" idle
64 The Life and Death of
" idle, but be imployed for the Churches profit, 1 Cor, " 12. 7. 1 Pet. 4. lb.
'' 4. The sin of inhibiting the Lords Ministers, is a " forerunner of some sudden and grievous Judgement, *' Isa. 30. 10, 13. when it is for no cause, or for trifles, " Isa. 29. 31.
Assumpt. " But to remove from Old England *' to New, is to remove from a place where the ** Ministers of God are unjustly inhibited , to *' a place where they may inore freely execute ^^ their Functions, Ergo.
ARGUMENT VI.
Propos. *' To remove from a place ivhere are ''' fearful signs of Desolation , to a place ivhere ** one may have loell-grounded hope of preser- '^ration, and of Gods protection, is necessary *^ to them that are free,
" 1. Because it is the property of a wise man to *' foresee the plague, and to hide himself, Frov. 22. 3. *' 2. Because God hath commanded to remove in " such case, Mic. 2. 10. So Lot was commanded to " go out of Sodom, before the destruction thereof, *' Gen. 19.
" 3. Because there are commended Examples of "them that have done this ; as of Noah retiring into " the Ark, Lot leaving Sodorn , The godly leaving
*' JerU'
Mr. Richard Mather. 6S
' Jerusalem, a little before the last destruction thereof
' by the Romans, and going forth to Pella. See
' Bririsley in True Watch, Part 3. pag, 76. 118.
' Cartwright on Prov. 22. 3. and Junius on Revel,
' 12. 14.
^ 4. Because Nature teacheth to seek ones own
' preservation.
* 5. Because the sixth Commandment teacheth the
'same, and maketh voluntary staying in places of
' danger to be a degree of Self-murther.
Assumpt. " Bict to remove from Old England "/o New, is to remove from a place tvhere are ^^ signs of fearful Desolation, to a place ivhere " one may have ivell-grounded hope of Gods ^'protection.
This Assumption is made good by the proof of two things : First, That in Old England, there are many signs of fearful Desolation. Now signs of Desolation are such as these, and whether they be found in England, let it be considered.
1. Abundance of sin and sinners, Hos. 4. 1, 2. Jer. 5. 9.
2. Impunity of sin and sinners.
3. General Security, 1 Thess. 5. 2, 3. Matth. 24. 38. Luke 17. 28, 29. Zeph. 1. 12.
4. The taking away of G ods dear and faithful Ser- vants, Isa. 57, 1.
7 " 5.
66 The Life and Death of
5. Not profiting by former Judgements, Amos 4. 6, 7, &c.
6. Warnings by the Lords Ministers, Ainos 3. 7. Isai. 44. 26.
7. Examples of Gods wrathful Judgements on others no worser sinners, Jer. 7. 12. Rom. 11. Mr. Brins- ley sheweth at large, That the same sins which brought the Captivity of 70 years on Judah, do as much abound in England as ever they did in Judah, and that therefore we may certainly expect desola- tion for our sins, unless course were taken speedily by general Repentance and Reformation to pacifie the Lords wrath. In 2d Part of Triie Watch ^ throughout the whole Book, and more especially in pag. 493. Sf 503, Sfc.
The other thing to make good the Assumption, is, That in New-England one may have well-grounded hope of Gods protection, and for that there are these j Reasons :
1. The promise of God to preserve Churches and Christians which purely observe his Word and Ordi- nances ; faithfully execute Justice and Judgement, Sfc. For which, see these places ; Isa. 4. 5, 6. 2 Cor, | 15. 2. Revel, 3. 8, 9, 10. Isa. 52. 17. Sf 54. 17.
2. The Example of Gods protecting and preserving such in former time, as 2 Chron. 17. 3, 4, 9, 10. As long as Israel kept and walked in Gods wayes, no enemy was able to prevail against them, Sfc.
" 3.
Mr. Richard Mather. 67
3. No instance can be given to the contrary, when
• God ever suffered any people to perish that did purely observe his Ordhiances, and execute Justice
' and Judgement, untill by their defection and sin they
* had forfeited their happiness, and made themselves ^ naked, and caused their Shield to depart from them. ' ErgOy &c.
An Argument concerning Ministers onely.
O remove from such a place ivhere the Pastors of the Congregation cannot exer- cise the Lords Discipline by Ruling and " Governing their own Flocks by Censuring " those that ought to be Censured, &:c. to a ''place where they 7nay do it, is necessary for " them that are free. " 1. Because they are commanded to fulfill their " Ministry, and to perform all the parts of their Pas- *' toral Office, Coloss. 4. 17. 2 Tim. 4. 5. And this of " Administring the Keyes of Discipline is one, Matth. " 16. 19.
" 2. Because Christ hath no where dispensed with " them in any part thereof.
" 3. Because God hath reproved them that have failed "to do this, i^ev. 2. 20.
" 4. Because Parents and Masters are bound to re- '' move if they were in such Commonwealths, where " they might not be suffered to Rule and Govern their
" own
I
m
The Life and Death of
own Children and Servants. The reason thereof is Because they are bound to preserve their Childrer and Servants from being overthrown, if it be in theii power ; but where such restraint is, they are in danger to be overthrown.
Now the Consequence of the Reason is. That then Ministers being free, are bound to remove, if they be in such place where they may not govern their own Flocks.
The reason of which Consequence is. Because ol Parents and Masters over their Children and Ser- vants, and of Pastors over their Congregations, there is par Ratio, That if one be bound in case aforesaid to remove, the other are bound in the like case toi remove also.
These Arguments were thus presented to the Con- sideration of some godly Ministers, and other Chris- tians in Lancashire, at several Meetings for that end. Nothing was satisfactorily said to take off the strength of these Reasons : But many were thereby perswaded that his call to Neiv-Engiand was clear, yea even his own people at Toxteth, who did so dearly love his Per- son, and highly prize his Ministry, yet thought he was now called of God to leave them. And hereunto he was the more inclined, by some Letters of Mr. Cottons and Mr. Hookers who were lately arrived in Netv- England, and wrote (as then there was cause) very encouragingly unto godly people to come after them.
Mr.
Mr. Richard Mather. 69
Mr. Hooker in one of his Letters had this expression ; I In a luord (saith he) if I may speak my own thoughts " fully and freely^ though there are very many places where men may receive and expect more Earthly Com- modities, yet I do believe there is no place this day upon the face of the Earthy where a gracious heart and a judicious head may receive more spiritual good to him- self and do more temporal and spiritual good to others. Being then fully satisfied concerning the clearness of his Call for New-England, after many Prayers, and extraordinary seekings unto God, he engaged upon the transportation of himself and Family thither. His parting with his People and other Friends in Lanca- shire, was like PauVs taking his leave of Ephesiis, with much sorrow, many tears being shed by those who ex- pected to see his face no more in this world. This Journey was begun in April 1635. when he travelled to Bristol in order to take Ship there. In this Journey he was forced (as sometime Brentius was) to change his outward Habit that he might travel incognito, be- cause Purse vants were designed to Apprehend him ; but by this means he escaped them. From Bristol he set Sail for New-England May 23. 1635. The Lord, after manifold Trials of Faith and Patience, brought him in safety to the desired Haven. It is seldome known, that a man designed in Gods Eternal Counsel to special Service for his Name, doth not at one time or other experience Eminent Deliverances of Provi- 7=^ dence :
y
70 The Life and Death of
I
dence : So it was with this Servant of the Lord not once nor twice. Sundry eminent Salvations from deadly Dangers did the Lord vouchsafe unto him in his Childhood, which he would speak of in his old Age : but the most remarkable and memorable of all other, I ^ was that which hapned to him on the mighty Waters, I'' where he that sits upon the Floods, and stilleth the ' raging of the Sea when the Waves thereof roar, and '^ whom the winds obey, shewed himself wonderful ini^ goodness ; for when the Vessel was upon the Coasts of ^ New-England, there arose a fearful Storm (which the i Americans are wont to call an Hiracano) by means I whereof they were in no small danger ; And had not the Lord strangely turned the Wind in an instant, they had all perished upon the Rocks which were just be- fore, and within sight of them in the Ship. The Rela- tion of this observable Providence we shall here set down in Mr. Matliers own words, left written by him- self in his JournaJl from Lancashire to New-England, Thus he writeth concerning it.
August 15. 163o. The Lord had not yet done with us, nor had he let us see all his Poiver and Goodness which he would have us take the knowledge of : And therefore about break of day, he sent a most terrible Storm of Rain and Easterly Wind, whereby we were i?i as much danger, as I think ever people were. When we came to Land, we found many mighty Trees rent in pieces in the midst of the Bole, and others turned up by
the
Mr. Richard Mather. 71
he Roots, by the fierceness thereof. We lost in that Morning three Anchors and Cables, one having never een in the water before; two were broken by the vio- 3nce of the Storm, and the third cut by the Seamen in xtremity of distress, to save the ship and their and our jives. And when our Cables and Anchors were all ost, we had no outward means of Deliverance bid by ■oysing Sail, if so be ive might get to Sea, from 'mongst the Islands and Rocks luhere we had Anchored : But the Lord let us see that our Sails could not save us wither, no more than the Cables and Anchors ; for by he force of the Wind and Storm the Sails were rent isunder, and split in pieces as if they had been but rotten Rags, so that of divers of them there ivas scarce left as nucJi as an hand-breculth, that ivas not rent in pieces, or down away into the Sea : So thcU at that time all hope hat tve should be saved, in regard of any outvjard ippearance, ivas utterly taken aivay ; and the rather, because tve seemed to drive with full force of Wind di- rectly upon a mighty Rock standing out in sight above vater, so that we did but continmdlywaitwhen we should ■tear and feel the doleful crashing of tlie Ship upon the Rock. In this extremity and appearance of Deatli, as iistress and distraction ivould suffer us, we cried to the Lord, and he ivas pleased to have compassion upon us : ^or by his over -ruling Providence, and his oivn immedi- ate good hand, he guided the Ship past the Rock, as- swaged the violence of the Sea and of the Wind. It ivas
a day
72 TIw Life and Death of
1!
a day much to be rememhred^ because on that day the Lo,^ »{
granted us as wonderful a deliverance^ as I think ev\ f
any people had felt. The Seamen confessed they 7ievi^
knew the like. The Lord so imprint the memory of it \}
our hearts, that we may be the better for it, and be car\ i
ful to please him, and to walk uprightly before him <ii
long as we live. And I hope ive shall not forget it}
passages of that morning untill our dying day. Li g j
this grievous Storm my fear ivas the less^ when I covw
sidered the clearness of my Calling from God this wa\\
And in some measure {the Lords holy Name be blesse
for it) he gave us hearts contented and willing that i\
should do ivith us and ours ivhat he pleased, and whii
might be most for the glory of his Name, and in that wj
rested our selves. But when news was brought us ini;
the Gun-room that the danger was past, Oh how oiAi
hearts did then relent, and melt within us I we burst ot\
into tears of joy amongst our selves in love unto om
gracious God, and admiration of his kindness, in gran<\
ing to his poor Servants such an Extraordinary an
Miraculous Deliverance. His holy Name be blessed fo
ever !
Thus farre is Mr. Mathers Relation of this signa Providence, as left written with his own hand. An( this is the more to be taken notice of, because the live of several Choice Instruments of Gods Glory, wen then saved : For not onely Mr. Mather himself, bu two of his Sons, who are now faithfull Ministers of God
wer
Mr. Richard Mather. 73
>ere in that Vessel ; and so likewise was that Worthy '^'linister of Christ Mr. Jonathan Mitchell, late Faithful ^'' nd Famous Pastor of the Church of Cambridge in New-England^ he being then a Childe of Eleven years '' if Age. Also this Deliverance is the more remarkable, 'ii that several Vessels were cast away in that Storm. '^\. Ship called the Angel Gabriel^ which set out from '^Bristol with the Vessel wherein Mr. Mather was, be- 'hg then at Anchor at Pemequid, was broken in pieces ; md the very same strange and sudden turn of Wind vhich saved the Vessel wherein Mr. Mather was, ruined he other which came from England at the same time, llso there was then a Ship, going between Piscataqua md the Bay^ which was cast away in this Storm, and dl the people therein lost, except two that were spared o report the News. And amongst others in that i^essel which then perished, there was a precious Vlinister of the G ospel, viz. Mr. Avery ^ who with his Wife and five Children all perished. This Minister (though it be a Digression .^ yet the Story being so Vvorthy of remembrance, let it here be recorded) every moment expecting that the next Wave would be a |Wave of Death, hfted up his eyes to Heaven, saying, ftord, I cannot challenge a Promise of the preservation of my life^ but according to thy Covenant I challenge Heaven : Which he had no sooner spoken, but a Wave immediately came and swept him away, and so wafted him to Heaven indeed. And by the way let it further
be
74 The Life and Death of
be noted, That this which hath been mentioned is th onely Vessel which miscarried with Passengers fro: Old Englayid to New ; so signally did the Lord in hi Providence own the Plantation of New-England. *
But (to digress no further) this Storm being allayed'
the Lord brought them safe to an Anchor before Bos
i
ton, August 17. 1635. Mr. Mather abode with hi Family for some Moneths in Boston ; and both he am his gracious Consort joyned to the Church there.
Being thus by a mighty hand and an out-stretchec Arm brought into New-England, Motions from sundr] Towns were soon presented to him, desiring that ht would imploy the talent which the Lord had enrichec him with, for the work of the Ministry amongst them At the same time he was desired at Plimouthy Dorches te?', and Roxbury. Being in a great strait in his owrJ minde which of these Invitations to accept of ; Con-r sidering that in difficult cases Counsel is an Ordinancci of God, whereby he is wont to discover his will, he' therefore referred himself to the Advice of some judi- cious Friends ; amongst whom, Mr. Cotton and Mr. Hooker were chief, who met to Consult of this weighty Affair ; And their Advice was, That he should accept of the Motion from Dorchester. Which being accord- ingly accepted of by him, he did (by the help of Christ) set upon that great Work of Gathering a Church ; the Church which was first planted in that place being re- moved with the Reverend Mr. Warham to Conecticot.
There
Mr. Richard Mather. 75
Inhere was an Essay towards Gathering a Church ^pril 1. 1636. but by reason that the Messengers of Neighbour-Churches were not satisfied, concerning ome that were intended Members of that Foundation, he Work was deferred untill August 23. when a hurch was Constituted in Dorchester according to the ^rder of the Gospel, by Confession and Profession of foiih. ; and Mr. Mather was chosen Teacher of that church.
[ Being thus again settled in the Lords Work, he herein continued unto his dying day ; the Lord mak- ng him an Eminent Blessing not onely to Dorchester <, )ut to all the Churches and Plantations round about, or the space of near upon Four and thirty years.
It is a true Observation which many from Luther lave taken up, viz. That three things make an able Oivine.
1. Medidatio ; Study. Such a one must give him- ;elf to Reading and Meditation.
2. Oratio ; Prayer. A Man of God must be a man )f Prayer, even ever & anon upon his knees before
od : And bene Orasse est bene Studuisse. Bradfo7'd the Martyr and Cartwright the Confessor, studied kneei- ng.
3. Tentatio ; Temptation. As Avhen Christ was to 3nter upon his Public Ministry he was grievously tempted; so it is wont to be with his Servants, and so it was with this good man. The Lord having great
Service
76 The Life and Death of
Service for him to do, he must undergo great Temp tations, that he might be the better fitted for that where unto he was called. j
Wherefore before, and for some years after his ac cepting Office-Relation in Dorchester, he was in mucl Spiritual distress by reason of uncertainties concerning his own Eternal estate. He did (as in wisdome he wa bound to) keep these troubles secret from men, onely h( revealed the distress of his Soul to that great Divine Mr Norton, then Teacher to the Church in Ipsiuich, unt( whom (under Christ) God gave the tongue of th( Learned to speak a word in season, whereby his Sou was Comforted ; the Lord giving him to see that he was walking to Heaven in the same way that David Asaph, Heman, Sfc. had gone before him.
During the time of his Pilgrimage in New-Englarm he under-went not so many Changes, as before that he had done ; for he never removed his Habitation out oi Dorchester, albeit he had once serious thoughts that way, by reason that his old people in Toxteth, after that the Hierarchy was deposed in England, sent to him, desiring his return to them : But Dorchester was in no wise willing to foregoe their interest in him, therefore he left them not. Nevertheless, he did in Neiv-Englayid (as in a Wilderness might be expected) experience j many Trials of his Faith and Patience. That which of outward Afflictions did most agrieve him, was the Death of his dear Wife, who had been for so many
years
Mr. Richard Mather. 77
/ears the greatest outward Comfort and Blessing which TMe did enjoy: Which Affliction was the more griev- ous, in that she being a Woman of singular prudence \[ for the Management of Affairs, had taken off from her el Husband all Secular Cares, so that he wholly devoted II himself to his Study, and to Sacred Imployments. After he had continued in the state of Widowhood a year and half, he again changed his Condition, and was Married to the pious Widow of that deservedly Famous Man of God Mr. John Cotton; and her did iGod make a Blessing and a Comfort to him during Ithe remainder of his dayes.
Old Age now being come upon him, he was sensible of the Infirmities thereof, being in his latter years something thick of Hearing : Also (as it was with great Zanchy) the sight in one of his Eyes failed, seven years before his Death. Yet God gave him Health of Body and Vigour of Spirit in a wonderful measure, iso as that in fifty years together, he was not by Sick- ness detained so much as one Lords-day from Publick Labours. Which continued Health (as to Natural causes,) proceeded partly from his strong Constitution of Body, and partly from his accustoming himself to a plain and wholsome Diet. Bona Diceta est potior quo- vis Hippocrate. He never made use of any Physician, nor was he ever in all his life sick of any acute Dis- ease. Onely the two last years of his Life he was sorely afflicted with that Disease which some have 8 called
78 The Life and Death of
called Flagellum Studiosorum, viz. The Stone, whicl:| at last brought him to an end of all his Labours and Sorrows.
Concerning the Time and Manner of his Sickness and Death, thus it was. There being some Differ enees in Boston, Counsel from Neighbour- Churches was by some desired, to direct them in the Lord what should be done : Accordingly the Churches sent their Messengers ; and Dorchester Church, amongst others, sent Mr. Mather their aged Teacher, who Assembled in Boston, April 13. 1669. He was, because of his Age, Gravity, Grace and Wisdome wherewith the Lord had endowed and adorned him, chosen the Moderator in that Reverend Assembly. For divers dayes after his being thus in Consultation, he enjoyed his Health as formerly, or rather better then for some time of late. But as Luther when Assembled in a Synod was surprized with a violent Fit of the Stone, whence he was forced to return home, his Friends having little hopes of his life ; so it was with this holy man. For April 16. 1669. he was in the night, being then in his Sons house in Boston, taken exceeding ill through a totall stoppage of his Urine. The next morning he therefore returned home to Dorchester. Great was the favour of God towards him, that he should be found about such a blessed Work, as then he was ingaged in, for the Lord found him sincerely and earnestly endeavouring to be a Peace-maker. His be- ing
Mr. Richard Mather, 79
ng thus taken when at a Synod, brings to minde that oi the German Phcenix ;
Vlximus ill Si/nodis, Sfjatn vioriemur in illis.
Now as usually Providence so ordereth, that they who have been speaking all their lives long, shall not say much when they come to die : Blessed Hooker in his last Sickness, when Friends would have had him answered to some Enquiries which might have made for their Edification after he was gone, he referred them wholly to the things which he had taught them in his health, because then he had enough to do to grapple with his own bodily weakness, Sfc. Neither did this good man speak much in his last Sickness either to Friends or to his Children. Onely his Son who is now Teacher of a Church in Boston^ coming to visit his Father, and perceiving the Symptomes of Death to be upon him, said unto him. Sir, if there be any speciall thing which you ivoidd recommend unto me to do, in case the Lord shoidd spare me upon the Earth, after yon are in Heaven, I loould intreat you to express it. At the which, his Father making a little pause, and lifting up his eyes and hands to Heaven, replied, A specicdl thing ivhich I would commend to you, is, Care concerning the Rising Generation in this Coun- try, that they be brought under the Government of Christ in his Church ; and that when groivn up and qualified, they have Baptism for their Children. I must confess
I have
60 The Life cmd Death of
I have been defective as to practise^ yet I have publickl\ declared my judgement^ and manifested my desires to practise that which I think ought to be attended^ but the Dissenting of some in our Church discouraged me. 1 have thought that persons might have Right to Bapiismj and yet not to the Lords Supper ; and I see no cause to alter my judgement as to that particidar. And I still think that persons qualified according to the Fifth Pro position of the late Synod-Book^ have Right to Baptism for their Children.
His bodily Pains continued upon him untill April 22. when in the Morning his Son aforementioned, coming to visit him, asked his Father if he knew him ; to whom he RepHed that he did, but was not able to speak any more to him : Whereupon his Son saying, Noiv you will speedily be in the joy of your Lord ; His Father lifted up his hands, but could not speak. Not long after his Son again spoke to him, saying, You will quickly see Jesus Christ, and that will make amends for all your pains and sorroivs : At which words his Father again lifted up his hands ; but after that he took notice of no person or thing, but continuing speechless untill about 10 h. P.M. he quietly breathed forth his last. Thus did that Light that had been shining in the Church above Fifty years. Expire.
As some of the Lords precious ones have had a reall apprehension and prse sense of their approaching Dissolution imprinted on their Spirits ; so it is noted
of
Mr. Richard Mather. 81
of Ambrose and of Gorgonia of old ; and of Gesner, Melancthon, and Sanfoi'd among Modern Divines : Tims it Avas with this holy man some time afore his departure. The last Text which he taught from, and insisted long thereon, was that 2 Timothy 4. 6, 7, 8. I am 710 w ready to be offered^ and the time of my de- part are is at hand ; I have fought a good fight^ I have finished my course, I have kept the Faith : Henceforth thei'e is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness, ivhich the Lord the righteous Judge will give me at that day ; and not to me onely, bid unto all them also that love his appearing. And the portion of Scripture which before that he had insisted upon, was Job 14. 14. All the dayes of my appointed time, will I ivait till my change come. The Lord found his blessed Servant so doing. Also the last private Conference- Meeting which he was at in Dorchester, he had prepared to speak from those words, 2 Cor. 5. 1. For ive know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a build- ing of God, an house jwt made loith hands, eternal in the Heavens : But bodily pains prevented him from speaking what was in his heart to have expressed ; the Lord intending that he should no more speak of, but see that place which he had so much and so often thought on, and long prayed and longed to enjoy.
He was, especially in his last sickness, a Pattern of
Patience. For although extremity of pain, without
any acute Disease, was that which brought him to his
8^ Grave,
82 Tke Life and Death of
Grave, yet he did never so much as once cry out from first to last ; and it was very rare to hear him so much as groan (but never grumble) under his dolorous Griefs. In this Sickness, whereof he died, he was much delighted in reading Doctor Goodivins Discourse about Patience^ in which Book he read till the very day of his death. Once in his Sickness, his Son say- ing to him, that inasmuch as several small Stones were come from him in his Urine, now possible he might have some ease ; his Father answered with an affect- ing earnestness of expression, As for that matter, the Will of the Lord be done. Such was his grace and patience. And at the same time his Son saying to him, God hath shewed his great faithfulness unto you^ having upheld you now for the space of more than Fifty years in his Service^ and imployed you therein without ceasing, which can be said of very feio men upon the face of the whole Earth. His Father replied. You say true ; I must acknowledge the mercy of God hath been great towards me cdl my dayes : but I must also acknoiv- ledge, that I have had many failings, and tke thought of them, abaseth me, and ivorketh patience in me. When any one asked him how he did ; his usual Answer was, Far from well, yet far better than my iniquities deserve. Thus did he (like old Austin who died reading the Penitential Psalms) keep up a spirit of Repentance to the last.
As he was a man faithful and fearing God above
many,
Mr. Richard Mather, 83
many, so the Lord shewed great faithfulness unto him, both in making him serviceable unto the last, yea and continuing the vigour of his Spirit, and power of his Ministry. Few men, though young, are known to Preach Avith such vigour as he did but ten dayes before his death. Also the Lord was faithful and gra- cious to him, in respect to his Children. It was a spe- cial token of Divine favour unto some of the Ancients, that their Sons after them succeeded in the Ministry ; so was it with the Fathers of Gregory, Nazianzen, Gregory JVyssen, Basil, Hilary, Sfc. And the Lord cheered the heart of this his Servant in his old Asre, by giving him to see most of his Sons imployed in the Ministry many years before their precious Father's decease. He left four Sons in that Work ; one of whom, viz. Mr. Eleazcr Mather, late Pastor of the Church at Northampton in New-England, Avent to his rest about three Moneths after his Father, Avith him to sound forth the praises of God amongst the Spirits of just men made perfect. The other three are yet sur- viving, viz. Mr. Sa?micl Mather, Teacher of a Church in Dublin ; Mr. Nathaniel Mather, late Minister of Barnstable in Devon, and since in Rotterdam in Hol- land ; and Increase Mather of Boston in Nexo-Eng- land.
Concerning his Judgement. Touching matters of Faith and Doctrine, his large Catechism which con- tains the Summe of the Body of Divinity, doth suffi- ciently
84 Tlie Life and Death of
ciently manifest his Orthodoxness to the World. In deed he was a strenuous opposer of the Errours o the Times. Touching Worship and Discipline, he Avas for the true Congregational- Way, in oppositioii to both the Extremes of Bi'ownism on the one hand. and Presbyte7'ianism on the other hand. As foi Brownism, he was of the same apprehension with Mr. Dod and Mr. Cotton, That God is not wont to make choice of men infamous for gross Vices (as that Brown and Barroiv were) to be the Discoverers of moment- ous Truths. And to manifest that he was farre from the Errour of that Way, he hath left a judicious Ma- nuscript, proving that although Power, i. e. Priviledge and Liberty doth belong to the Fraternity, yet that Ride is proper to the Presbytery of the Church. As for Presbyterianism, his Printed Books in Answer toi Mr. Herle and Mr. Rutherford, shew how farre he' was distant from that Perswasion. Also some years before his Death, he prepared for the Press an Ela- borate Discourse, Entituled, A Plea for the Churches of New- England ; divided into Two Parts : The for- mer being an Ansiver to Mr. Rathbands Narration of Church- Courses in New England ; The other contain- ing Positive Grounds from Scripture and Reason, for the Justification of the Way of the Churches in New- England. Not many weeks before his death a Friend acquainting him, that some reported that he had de- clared himself to be a Presbyterian ; He repHed, You
tell
Mr. Richard Mather. 85
'\teU me a strange thing : I have ivritten Books in De- \fence of the Co7igregationall- Way, as differing from Hhe Presbyterian, and doth any one say 1 declared my \se1f for that Per sivasion? It is nothing so. At the I same time it being said to him, that he had the prin- cipal hand in the Platform of Discipline , and had he not changed his judgement from that ? His Answer was, No, not in any one particular that I know of
His way of Preaching was plain, aiming to shoot his Arrows not over his peoples heads, but into their Hearts and Consciences. Whence he studiously avoided obscure phrases, Exotick Words, or an un- necessary citation of Latine Sentences, which some men addict themselves to the use of. Mr. Dod was wont to say, That so much Latine teas so much flesh in a Sermon : So did this humble man look upon the affectation of such things in a Popular Auditory to savour of Carnal wisdome. The Lord gave him an excellent faculty in making abstruse things plain, that in handling the deepest Mysteries he would accom- modate himself to Vulgar Capacities, that even the meanest might learn something. He knew how to express y.vuva xoivo) y.ui yoivd yaivcog. He would often use that Saying, Artis est celare Artem. And much approved that of Austin ; If (said he) I preach Learn- edly, then onely the Learned and not the Unlearned can understand and profit by me ; but if I preach plainly, then Learned and Unlearned both can understand, so I
may
86 The Life and Death of
may profit all. He was Mighty in the Soiptures : Whence Mr. Hooker would say of him, My brothen Mather is a mighty man. Also his usuall way of De-' livery was very Powerful, Awakening, and Zealous ; especially in his younger years, there being few men' of so great strength of body as he, which together with his natural fervour of Spirit, being sanctified, made his Ministry the more powerful. And the Lord went forth with his Labours to the Conversion of many^ both in England and in New-England. Yet though his way of Preaching was plain and zealous, it was ( moreover Substantial and very Judicious. Even in his beginning times, Mr. Gillehrand (a famous Minis- ter in Lancashire ; and the more famous, for that though he did exceedingly Stammer in his ordinary discourse, he would Pray and Preach as fluently as any man) once having heard him Preach, asked what his Name might be ? And answer being made that his Name was Mather ; Nay (said Mr. Gillehrand) call him Matter^ for beheve it this man hath Substance in him. Yea, such was his Solidity of Judgement^ that some who were his Opposites, yet did therefore great- ly respect and honour him. Doctor Parr (then Bishop in the Isle of Man) having heard Mr. Mather was Silenced, lamented it, saying, i/' Mather he Silenced I am sorry for it, for he was a solid man, and the Church of God hath then a great loss.
Because he was esteemed eminently Judicious,
therefore
Mr. Richard Mather, 87
herefore amongst the Reverend Elders in NeiO'Enor- ind^ he was much improved in Managing the Contro- ersies then under Debate about Church-Government. The Discourse about the Church- Covenant^ and the \.nswer to the XXXII. Questions^ both written Ayino .639. ahhough they pass under the Name of the El- lers of Nevj-England^ Mr. Mather was the sole Author of, as Mr. Cotton in his Answer to Baily^ P^g"' ?'0. and Answer to Williams^ P^^g'- 63. and Mr. Na- haniel Mather in his Epistle to the XXI. Questions joneerning Church-members and their Children, have ruely related. And when there was a Synod called o Convene at Cambridge, Anno 1647. that Reverend Assembly desired three Elders to draw up A Modell if Church Government against the next Session, viz. VIr. Cotton, Mr. Mather, and Mr. Partrich. The J'rinted Platform of Discipline is for the substance of t the same Avith that which was Composed by Mr. Mather. It might be said of him, as was said of that blessed Martyr, that he was sparing in his Diet, spar- ing in his Speech, most sparing of all of his Time. He was very dihgent both as to duties of general and particular Calling, which are indeed the two Pillars upon which Religion stands. As to his general Call- ing ; He was much in Prayer, especially in his Study, where he oft-times spent whole dayes with God in suing for a Blessing upon himself and Children, and upon the people to whom he was related, and upon
the
88 The Life and Death of
'■\
;i
the whole Country where he Hved. The Requestii
which upon such occasions he put up to God in Jesui
Christ, and also how his heart was moved to believt
that God heard him, he left (many of them) in writ
ing amongst his private Papers, I suppose that so him
self might have recourse unto those Expei'iences in i
time of darkness and Temptation ; also that his Sons
after him might see by their Fathers Example, wha'
it is to walk before God. Now what a loss is it to the
world when such a Righteous man is taken away !
Well might Pltilo and Jei'ome weep bitterly, wher
they heard of the death of any such men, because ii
portended evil to the places where they had lived, and
served God. As he was much in Prayer, so he w^as
very frequent in Heai'ing' the Word, It was his man-i
ner to attend several Lectures in Neighbour-Congrega-(
tions, untill his Disease made him unable to ride ; yea
and usually even to his old Age (as did Mr. Hilder-
shmn) he took Notes from those Avhom he heard, pro-i
fessing that he found profit in it.
As to his particular Calling, he was even from his
youth a hard Student. Yea his minde was so intent!
upon his Work and Studies, that the very morning!
before he died, he importuned those Friends thati
watched with him to help him into his Study : They-;
urging that he was not able to go so farre, he desired!
them to help him and try ; which they did : but ere;
he was come to the door of his Lodging-room, I see
(saith i
Mr. Richard Mather, 89
(saith he) I am not able, yet I have not been in my Study several dayes, and is it not a lamentable thing that I shoidd lose so much time? After his entrance upon the Ministry, he was not onely in England (as hath been said) but in Neiv-England abundant in Labours : for except when he had an Assistant with
'him (which was seldome) he Preached twice every Lords-day ; and a Lecture once a fortnight, besides many occasionall Sermons both in Pubhck and in Pri- vate. Also he was much exercised in answering many practical Cases of Conscience^ and in Polemical, espe- cially Disciplinary Discourses. In his Publick Min- istry in Dorchester he went over The Book of Genesis to Chap. 38. Psalm 16. The ivhole Book of the Pro- phet Zechariah, Matthews Gospel, to Chap. 15.
i 1 Epist. to Thess. Chap. 5. And the whole Second Epistle of Peter ; his Notes whereo7i he reviewed, and
1 Transcribed for the Press, not many years before his decease.
Notwithstanding those rare Gifts and Graces where- with the Lord had adorned him, he was exceeding low and little in his own eyes. Some have thought that his greatest err our was, that he did not magnifie his Office, as he might and sometimes should have done. If a man must erre, it is good erring on that hand. Humble enough, and good enough, was the frequent Saying of a great Divine. And another ob- serveth, That every man hath just as much and no more 9 true
II
90 The Life aiid Death of
true ivorth in him, as he hath Humility. Austins being asked which was the most excellent grace, answered, Humility ; and which was the next, answered. Hu- mility; and which was the third, replied again, Humi- lity. That indeed is Comprehensively All, being of great price in the sight of God : And if so, Mr. Ma ther was a man of much Reall Worth.
It hath been the manner of some, in writing Lives to insert the Wills of those whose Lives and Death So Beza in they have described. The last Will and Testament of Calvin, him, whosc Life and Death hath thus been related, in"the Life breathing forth a most humble, holy and gracious Spi- oi Ramus, ^.-^^ ^^^^ shall here subjoyn the Preface and Conclusion of it. It was written with his own hand, Octob. 16.
'3
1661. And begimieth as followeth.
T Richard Mather, considering the certainty of death, ^ and the uncertainty of the time thereof; and withall knowing it to be the will of God that a man should set his House in order before he depart this life, Do make this my last Will and Testament in manner fol- lowing. First of all, I acknowledge the rich and wonderful Grace and Mercy of Almighty God, whose hands have made me and fashioned me, and who took me out of my Mothers Womb, that having r^iade me a Man, who might have made me a Beast or other Creature ; He hath also by his good Providence pre- served the beeing and comfort of my life all the dayes of my Pilgrimage untill now, even for the space of these Sixty five years : During all which time, he hath not suffered me to want either food or raiment,
or the
Mr. Richard Mather. 91
or the service of any creature, Avhich hath been requi- site for my comfortable subsisting in this World ; which I acknowledge to be the bounteous gift of Him who is Lord of all Creatures, and the High Possessor of Heaven and Earth. Next of all, and more espe- cially I am bound to give Thanks and Praise to Him whil'st 1 have any beeing, that I being a Childe of Wrath by Nature as well as others, and being born in a place of much Profaneness and Popery, he hath of his abundant grace vouchsafed to draw me out of that woful estate of Sin and Ignorance wherein I lay, and to make himself and his Christ known unto me by the Gospel, of which grace I was most unworthy ; and in his great patience and mercy to bear with my mani- fold and great offences, both before and since the time of his gracious Calling of me, though for my unwor- thy walking in many particulars, I might justly have been for ever rejected of him. Yea and such hath been his rich grace, that he hath vouchsafed to put me an unworthy creature into the Ministry of the Gos- pel of his Son, that I should not onely know and pro- fess the same (which is unspeakable mercy) but be also a Preacher of it unto others. In which Imploy- ment if any thing hath been done which hath been pleasing unto him, or any way beneficiall to any Childe of his, it hath not been I that have done the same, but the grace of God which was with me. For I must needs acknowledge to the praise of his Patience and Grace, That in my poor Ministration for the space of these Forty two years and upwards, I have been much defective in Wisdome and Watchfuhiess over the peoples souls, in Purity, in Faithfulness, in Uprightness, Meekness, Humihty and Zeal : And be- cause of these, and many other my defects and offences against the Lord, I stand in much need this day of
mercy
92 The Life and Death of
mercy and forgiveness through his Christ, and have no cause to look for any acceptance either in this or in another World, for any Righteousness of my own, either as touching my Ministry or otherwise, but dis- claiming all thought of that kinde, my onely trust and hope is to be accepted of him, and (when this life shall end) to be saved in his Heavenly Kingdome meerly by his Free-grace, and the Obedience and precious Passion and Intercession of his dear Son. And con- cerning Death, as I do believe it is appointed for all men once to die ; so, because I see a great deal of unprofitableness in my own life, and because God hath also let me see such vanity and emptiness even in the best of those Comforts which this life can afford, that I think I may truely say. That I have seen an end of all perfection : Therefore if it were the will of God, I should be glad to be removed hence, where the best that is to be had doth yield so little satisfac- tion to my Soul, and to be brought into his presence in glory, that there I might finde (for there I know it is to be had) that satisfying and All-sufficient content- ment in him, which under the Sun is not to be enjoyed. In the mean time I desire to stay the Lords leisure. But thoUi O Lord, hoiv long ! Now concerning my Outward Estate, sith the Earth is the Lords and the fulness thereof, the habitable World, and all that is therein ; to him therefore belongs the praise of all that I possess in this kinde : And for the portion thereof which he hath given unto me, it is my minde and will, if so it please his Highness, that after my decease the same may be disposed of as foUoweth, Sfc.
Having thus graciously expressed himself, he pro- ceeds to the disposal of his Temporal Estate ; which being of private Concernment, we shall not here trou- ble
Mr. Richard Mather. 93
ble the World therewith. But after the disposal of I that, he concludeth with a most Solemn Charge to his ; Children ; with the rehearsall whereof we shall finish. I It is in words following.
Concerning my Son Timothy^ with all the rest of my Beloved Sons, as I hope God hath already made them partakers, at least sundry of them, of his saving grace in Christ, for which I and they have cause to be endlessly thankful ; so I think it not amiss, for the furtherance of their Spiritual good, to lay upon them this serious and solemn Charge of a Dying Father, That none of them presume after my decease to walk in any Avay of sin and wickedness in one kinde or another, or in a careless neglect of God, and the things of God, and of their own salvation by Christ : for if they shall so do (which God forbid) Then and in such case I hereby teslifie unto them. That their Father which begat them, and their Mother which bore them, with all the Prayers which they have made, and Tears which they have shed for them, their Example, their Admonitions and Exhortations which they have ad- ministred to them, together with this my last Will and Solemn Charge ; All these will rise up against them as so many Testimonies for their Condemnation at the last day. But I have better hopes of them ; And do hereby declare unto them. That if they shall seriously repent of their sins. Believe on the Lord Je- sus, and by his grace walk in all the wayes of God, and as becometh the Gospel of Christ ; as this Avill be to the Honour and glory of Him that made them, so it w^ill redound to their own unspeakable comfort and benefit in this and in another World : and their Fa- ther that now speaketh unto them, with their dear
Mother
94 Mr. Richard Mather.
Mother now with God, shall exceedingly rejoyce in the day of Christ, when we shall receive oar Children unto those Everlasting Habitations ; and shall see not our selves alone, but those also that have proceeded and come forth out of our own bowels, to have their part and portion in that Eternall Glory. In desire and hope that it may be so, I commend them all to the Lord of Heaven's Blessing : And let the Bless- ing of God in Jesus Christ, be poured out and remain upon them all for ever-more. Amen.
FINIS.
APPENDIX.
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APPENDIX. 99
Dr. Increase Mather preached and published a sermon on ;he death of his wife Maria Cotton, from which the foUowing extract is taken.
" And now, my Brethren ; what I Preach to you, let me Practise my self. I would never Exhort you to any Duty, but what I would endeavour my self to Practise. You know that God has lately (even the last Lord's Day) taken from me one that has been the Dear Companion of my Pilgrimage on Earth for Two and Fifty Years ; and she was a great Blessing to me, & to my Family, and to the Church of God. If I had not been at all Related to her, I ought to Honour h3r Memory ; because she was the Daughter of the most Eminent Man of God that ever New-E7igla7id saw ; and much more on the account of those Gracious Qualifica- tions with which she was Endowed : For she was Singularly Conscientious, Humble, Pious, Prayerful. It was her Cus- tom to be with God Six Times every Day ; and very often in a Yeans time, to spend whole Days alone with God, in Prayer with Fasting ; where (as I find in her Private and Reserve 1 Papers) she was wont to Pour out her Soul in Supplications to God, for his Church in general, for New- England in special, and for Me, and for her Children. These Prayers will certainly Live, tho' she is Dead. The Reason why I mention these things, is, not only to set before you an Example of Piety, but because the Scripture has said of the Virtuous Woman, Her Children rise 2ip and call her Blessed : her Husband also, and he Praiseth her. The Woman that Feareth the Lord, She shall be Praised. It be- comes me to Comply with the Will of God in a Sorrowful Bereavement ; and to say. The Lord gave me a great Bless- ing, Blessed be the Name of the Lord ; the Lord continued that Blessing to me for more than Fifty Years, Blessed be the Name of the Lord ; and the Lord has now taken away that Blessing, yet I say. Blessed be the Name of the Lord. And as David said of his Dead Child, so sa}^ I concerning my Dear Dead Consort, I shall go to her ; ( I trust in Christ
100 APPENDIX.
that it will not be long first) but she shall not return to me, Let the Will of the LORD be Done. Preached at Boston^ April 11, 1714."
Dr. Mather's second wife was the widow of the Rev. Mr. John Cotton, of Hampton, N. H., of whom a concise account is given by his cousin Dr. Cotton Mather, in a tract published in 1715, entitled, '■'•Just Commemorations. The DEATH oi Good Men considered, and the Characters of some who have lately Died in the Service of the Churches, Exhibited."
In the Dedication " to the Honourable Judge Sewall,'' he says, " The Persovs Commemorated in this Essay, were such as You Valued, and such as honoured You : Mutual and Many were Your Endearements. I send you the Pic- tures of my Dead Friends, drawn in Miniature.''^ i
" America never had a greater Master of the true, pure,' Ciceronian Latin & Language, than the excellent Ukian Oakes ; of which you are also a Judge. In the copious and florid Oration, with which he regaled the Auditory at our Comi mencement [1678], in Terms of so Vaticinating a Tendency, that it may be you will count them not unworthy to be recited, as an Introduction, to what we shall soon proceed with.
Of the First. Primus, qui mox prodAturzis est, ut vobis: Omnibus Suo cceterorumq^ce nomine, Salutes quam Officio- sissime impertiat, Johannes Cottonus est ; Magni illius {ut< ne quid de Reverendo Ejus Patre dicam,) Johannis Cottoni' Nepos no7i indigmis. Memorabile Profecto Nomen, et\ PrcEdulce Johannes Cottonjjs, quodque per Se Satis Super- que erit, hunc Juvenem Nov. Anglis facere Commendatis- simum. Faxit Deus ut premere ptossit ac implere, Avoruml
APPENDIX. 101
Suaru}7i, tarn Honoratissimi Bradstrcetti (quern prcesentcm intuemur) quam Clarrissimi Cottoni , Vestigia,
eosque i)i ipso Virtutis et Honoris Cursu, non insequatuf Solum, sed tandem etiam assequatur .'''' ^ =^ ^ #
Dr. Mather then proceeds :
" But how much more Avill the Duty of Weeping over the Gri'aves of the Dead, be carried on with Rose Water in the Tears, and the Lacrymatories be Perfumed with it, if the deceased were such as had Marks of Sanctification upon them in their most Early Miuistry and lived Vh'tuously all their Dayes !
I find myself under Particular and Indispensable Obliga- tions, this Day to Commemorate a Couple of my dear Fellow Servaiits, unto whom the Sovereign Pleasure of God, has granted me to be a Survicour ; and therein given me an Opportunity to do them the justice of some Commem,oration.
Seven-and-Thirty Winters have rolled away, since our First Academical Degree, was given to Three of us whom our most Glorious Lord has Employ'd since to Serve Him in the Ministry of His Glorious Gospel. ^ # =^ I am not unwilling to Express the Fraternal Regards, that such Class-Mates may owe unto One another, in the Uncom- mon Way of the most Public TESTIMONY.
The Former of these Two * was Mr. John Cotton, who, after he had been several Years a Fellow of our Harvard- College, Succeeded his Father in the Pastoral Charge of the Church at Hampton, and Expired, on 27 d. I. m., 1710, in a very Sudden and Surprizing manner, of what was
* Rev. Grindall Rawson was ihe second.
10*
102 APPENDIX.
thought an Apoplexy. One who was a very great Student^ and no little Scholar ; and of Capacities that gave a Lustre. One whose Consecration was the Filling of his Haiid, and whose Composures all Sivelt of the Lamp, and who was most remarkabl}^ and exemplarily fearful to offer unto God, or His People, that which had Cost him nothing. One of a very Catholick Spirit, and for being One with every one that is One with Christ; altho' certain Peculiar Temptations compelled him to be often as a Disputant, Malleus TremU' loruvi. One who had very much of the Gentleman in him ; which was more peculiarly Expressed in Generous Hospitali- ties. But, the Top of all, (For, Grande est Christianum esse, non, videri,) A Conscientious Christian ; I add, a Laborious Minister, Greatly & Justly Beloved of his People."
After her second husband's death, Mrs. Mather resided in Brookline, probably with her son, Dea. Thomas Cotton, who inherited a large landed estate there, from Rev. Mr. Cotton,, of Boston. He removed to Pomfret, Connecticut. '
In her elevated and Christian character she honored her birth and associations. The portion of her library, preserved by one of her descendants, furnishes significant evidence ol her intellectual taste and attainments.
" Madam Anne Mather, Relict of y^ Rev<^. D'". Increase Mather, formerly wife of Rev'^. Mr. John Cotton, died at Brookline, March 29, 1737, ae. s. 74."— i^ey. N. Gookin's MS. — Grave Stone at Brookline. \
Thomas Lake, her father, was a gentleman of education, wealth and distinction. He was born in 1615, the son of] Richard Lake of Erby, in Lincolnshire, came early to New! England (probably in connection with his father-in-law, Gov-
APPENDIX. 103
ernor Goodyear* of the New Haven Colony), engaged in com- mercial pursuits, and soon purchased extensive tracts of land in Maine and New Hampshire. He was a principal proprie- tor of the " Kennebec Purchase," since a prolific source of litigation, and the subject of a valuable chapter in the his- tory of Maine. The inscription on his grave-stone on Copp's Hill, Boston, records that he was an " eminently faithful ser- vant of God, and one of a public spirit, and was perfidiously slain by the Indians at Kennebeck, 16 Aug. 1676, aged 61 years." His will, made in 1663, directs that his body " shall be buried in the North burying-ground, without any solemnity of souldiers, mourning ribbon, wines and cakes." Cotton Mather in his Magnalia writes, " If I should particularly re- late how barbarously they murdered my dear good friend Captain Thomas Lake, I should but unto myself, hifandiirn. renovare doloremy His estate amounted to £2445 '■2s. bd. ; consisting of house, land, three warehouses, wharf, dock, &c., exclusive of the " Lands at Kennebeck, in the eastern parts, not valued."
Most of his children died in infancy. Stephen was of Gray's Inn, Gent., and died in the West Indies without issue. Only Anne and her brother Thomas, it is believed, left de- scendants. Thomas, born at Boston, 9 Feb. 1656, was edu- cated in England, became an Utter Barrister of the Hon. Society of the Middle Temple, died 22d May, 1711, aged 55
* Perhaps he was a brn'hr-r of Mr. Moses Goodyear, merchant, of Ply- mouth, Eiiirland, who, wiih hi, partner, Robert Trelawney, a memlier of Par- liament for Plymouth, hel' a pptrni, from the Plymouth Council, of territory in Maine, of wliirh their ageu', Mr John Winter, took possession July 21, ]()32. Gov. Goodyear's second wife was the widow of Mr. Lambert, of the New Haven Colony. For a notice of Goodyear and Trelawney, see Pohvhele's Devonshire, vol. iii , 453-4. Fo/som's '« Saco and BiddefordJ' 29, 38,40, 4i, 79, 80, 150. Wil/iamson's Maine, vol. i., 266, 299, 285, 300. Sullivari's " Distiict of Maine, 193."
104 APPENDIX.
years, and lies buried in the Temple Church, where is a monu- ment near the north corner of the middle east window. He was the executor of the will of his father's brother, Sir Ed- ward Lake, Bart., LL.D., Chanceller of the Diocese of Lin- coln, Advocate General for the Kingdom of Ireland, &:c. Sir Edward particularly distinguished himself at the battle of Edge Hill, Oct. 23, 1G42. Li his will, made 1665, he says, " Having, by the mercy and blessings of my Creator, been hith- erto preserved in the late troublesome, dangerous and rebel- lious tunes, wherein God covered my head in the day of battle, and now living to see the royall blood of o"" Late dread Sove- reigne, that blessed King and Martir, King Charles the first, my most Royal Master, not spilt like water, but justice in some good measure done upon his murtherers ; to see peace and trueth flourishing againe, both in Church and State ; To see God's Public service celebrated again in the great congre- gation and in the beauty of holiness. Disorder and Confusion taken away. Order and Unity resettled and strengthened, that we may leade peaceable and quiet lives in all Godliness & honesty, ffearing God and the King, and not meddling with those that are given to change, and as the great mercy, to protect, next under God, all the rest, to see my Dread Sove- reign King Charles the 2d restored to his native Crowne and rights, The knowne Lawes of the Land, the Birthrights of the subject vindicated and set in their due force again, in that every man may quietly and peaceably enjoy his vine and figgtree and all the fruits of trueth, and righteousness." He gives " to the Church or Chappell of Normanton, near Pon- tefract in Yorkshire, where my paternal Ancestors have lived for many ages, five pounds for a clock to be set upp and kept in order." The will abounds in historical allusions. He
APPENDIX. 105
disposes of the " great faire chess board wlt]i the case, wi(h my crest on it, and all my horse armes and other armes, and my best sword and seal at armes ; " then with beautiful and affectionate loyahy, " the picture of the late blessed King and Martir, my most Deare Master, King Charles the first, as it is in a frame in the shape of a Martir, in a white robe with a Palme in his right hand, and a Crowne of Starres upon his head, with an inscription in a table hanging under it, as also the picture of my most noble Lord Thomas, late Earle of Strafford, Lieutenant of Ireland. Item, my patent of Baronett and Mr. Dugdale Norroy, King at armes his Tes- timoniall under his hand and the seale of his office of Her- auld, of the Coate of Armes and Crest of augmentation given me by the said King Charles the first, to be borne for Ever before my owne Coate of Armes, and the warrant or graunt under the said King's hand for the said Coate and Crest : all which are kept in two boxes fitted for them, and all my Bookes also, my picture in Armour and my said wive's, all of which I give to my Executor [brother Thomas of Boston, in N. E.] requiring him " upon all the Dear and brotherly love betwixt him and me, to keep the said Two pictures of King Charles the first and the said Earl of Strafford, safe and entire, as precious memorialls, and to give the same charge to his heirs to keep them for ever, and if they come to be defaced or hurt, to be amended and new painted if need be, so also my wive's picture and mine." To his Executor he gives " all my plate, especially such as have my armes engraven upon it, as all or most of it hath," and mentions his estate real and personall in Ireland and in England. His most " dear and loving brother Thom.as Lake " " is re- quired and charged " " upon the fraternal and true love
106 APPENDIX.
that is between us, and his love of the remembrance of me," that "■ as farr as it is possible " his heirs male for- ever shall use for their christian names Biby, Seaman, " or Caley, in remembrance of Sir Hugh Caley, Knight, whose Coheir my Ancestor, in the time of King Edward the Third married." Sir Edward died July 18, 1674, and lies buried in the cathedral of ' Lincoln. Sir Biby Lake, Bart., son of Thomas of London, Barrister, and grandson of Thomas of Boston, merchant, inherited the title and estates. He revived and prosecuted the claim at the Kennebec. His grandmother, Mrs. Lake, by her will, proved in Suffolk County, September 15, 1705, gave the most of her estate to her daughter, Mrs. Cotton, and legacies to her " cousins " John Watts,"^ Richard Watts and Mary Tre worthy. The English branch of the family is represented by the Hon. Sir James Lake, Bart., who mar- ried the daughter of Admiral Sir Richard King, Bart.
Dom Sacer
Richardus Hie Dormit Matherus
(Sed nee Totus nee Mora Diuturna)
LsBtatus Genuisse Pares Licertum est utrum Doctior an Melior Animum & Gloria non Queunt Humari
Diuinely Rich k Learned Richard Mather Sons like Him Prophets Great Reioicd this Father Short Time His Sleeping Dust heres couerd down Not His Ascended Spirit or Rinown.
U. D. M. In Au?. In Dore : N A 34 An Obt. Apr. 22 1G69 Aet suae 73
Dorchester Burying Ground. * Williamson, vol. i., 88, vol. ii., 403, 663-9.
INDEX.
Richard Mather's Journal .
Life and Death of Richard Mather
Appendix
5
41
97
PERSONS.
Ames, 42, 55
Annitage, Thomas, 7
Aspinwall, Edward, 47
Avery, 73
Baily, 87
Baker, E. J., ii.
Bale, 42
Baynes, 55
Becoii, Richard, 30, 32
Biby, Simon, 54
Blake, Newcomb, 98
Bodlv, 42
Bradford, 60, 75
Bradstreet, Gov. Simon, 97
Briiisley, 66
Burton, 42
Burroughs, 42
Byles, Josiah & Mather, 98
Caley, Sir Hugh and Sir William, 97
Cartwright, 52, 55, 75
Clapp, David, 37
Clapp, Ebenezer, Jr., ii.
Clark, 42
Cousins, Dr. 55
Cotton, Rev. John of Bos- ton, 68, 74, 77, 84, 87
Cotton, Rev. John of Hampton, N. H., 97
Cotton, iNIaria, 97
Cotton, Roger, 97
Cotton, Rev. Seaborn, 97
Cotton, Mrs. Sarah, 77
Cotton, Thomas, 102
Cornish, Jephrey, 13
Dod, Mr. 84, 85
Dugdale, 105
Dudley, Govs. 97
Fi field, 98
Folsom's History, 103
Power, Barnabas, 7, 8
Gillebrand, 86
Goodwin, 82
Goodyear, Stephen, gover- nor of New Haven, 98
Goodyear, Moses, 103
Gookin, Rev. N., 97
Gookin Family, 97
Gorge, Sir Frederick, 8
Greene, B. 98
Greenough, 98
Hall, 42
Hanio de Hamstead, 97
Harrison, 48
Herle, 84
Hildersham, 52, 88
Hieron, 47
Holden, Edward, ii.
Hooker, 42, 68, 69, 74, 79,86
Honlt, Edminid, 51
Honlt, Catherine, 51
Hutchinson, William and
Anne, 97 Jarvis, Edward, M.D., ii. Jessop, 13
King, Sir Richard, Bt. 106 Kenrick, George, 11 Lake Family, 98 Lake, Sir Biby, Bart., 106 Lake, Sir Edw., J5art., 98 Lake, Richard, of Erby, 98 Lake, Stephen, of Gray's
Lin, 103 Lake, Thomas, of Boston,
98, 105 Marvury, Rev. Mr., 97 Mather Family, 97 Mather Richard— children,
52 -, Will, 90 Mather, Madame Anne, 97 Mather, Cotton, iv. Mather, Eleazer, 52,63 Mather, Increase, 40, 52, 83 Mather, Joseph, 52 Mather, Nathaniel, 52, 93 Mather, Samuel, 52, 83 Mather, Thomas and Mar- garet, 43 Mather, Timothy, 52, 83, 93 Maude, 6, 12, 13, 13, 16, 19,
22, 24, 27, 34 Michel, Mathew, 11,13,16,
IS, 20, 21 Michel, Susan, 13 Mitchell, Rev. Jona., 73 Morton, Bishop of Ches- ter, 50 Morellv, Anne, 98 Neal, Bishop, 55 Northend, Robert, 98 Norton, Rev. John, 76 Oakes Urian, 100 Talin, 46
Parker, 55
Parret, Sir James, 12
Parr, Dr., 86
Partrich, 87
Perkins, 48
Prvn, 55
Rathband, 84
Rawlins, Erkinald, 60
Ridlcv, 60
Robbins, J. M., ii.
Rutherford, 84
Savage, Thomas, 97
Sewall, Samuel, 100
Sherwood, 52
Smith, John, 13
Sullivan's History, 103
Taylor, Captain, 7, 16
Thornton, J. Wingate, iv.
Trelawuey, Robert, 103
Trewortln, Marv, 106
Tyng, Edward, 97
Vines, 47
Wales, Nath'l, 7
Walter, Rev. N., 98
Warden, Edward, 98
Warham, ''-4
Watts, Richard and John,
106 Whitaker, 47 Wliite, Rev. J., 98 Willet, 30 Williams, 87 Williamson's History, 103 Winter, John, 103 Wingate, Joshua, 97 Worall, 49
PLACES.
America, 26 Agameiiticus, 28 Barnstable in Devon, 83 Boone Island, 28, 34 Boston, 31, 40, 74, 78 Brazen Nose College, 49 Bristoll, 5,6, 9,69, 73 Brookline, Mass., 102 Cambridge, 44, 73, 87 Cape Anne, 26, 28, 60, 31 Cape Porpns, 27 Claxby in Lincolnshire, 96 Connecticot, 74 Derby in Lincolnshire, 97
lOS
INDEX.
Dorchester, ii., iv.,39, 74,
75, 76, 78, 81 Edge Hill, biittle of, 104 Erby in Lincolnshire, 9S Hampton, N. H., 97 Hartford, 12 Hog Island, 28 Ipswich, 76 Isles of Shoals, 28 Kingston, N. H., 98 King Roade, 11, 14, 34 Kennebec, 103 Lancashire, Lancaster, 43,
68, 69, 71, 86 Leagh, 46
Lincoln, diocese of, 104 Liverpool, 46 Lowton, 43 Lnndy, 10, 12, 34 Marvil-Head (Marblehead)
30 Massachusetts Bay, 8, 27 Menhiggen Island,' 26, 34
Milford Haven, 12, 14, 16,
18, 19, 22, 24, 26, 34 Much Woolton, 52 Nangle, 13 Nantascot, 31 New England, 10, 13, 15,
21, 58, 66, 69, 70 Newfondland, 69, 10, 14, 21 New Haven Colony, 98 IV'ew Plinionth, 30,74 Noriiiauton, Ub Northampton, 83 North Hampton, N. H., 97 Owbv, 97 Oxford, 44, 47, 49 I'embrooke, 12, 13 Peminequid, 26, 73 Penobscot, 27, 30 Pomfret, Ct., 102 Pontetract, 104 Prescot, 52 Piillen Point, 31 Richmond's Island, 27, 28
Rotterdam, 83 Roxbury, 74 Salem Bay, 31 Saugnst Bay, 31 Somersetshire, 10 St. George's Island, 26 Toxteth Park, 46, 47, 49, 50,
52, 68, 76 Wales, 10, 12, 45 Warrington, 5, 45 Wigan, 55
Winwick Parish, 43, 45, 46 Winnyard, 10
SHIPS.
The "Angel Gabriel," 7,
8, 10, 13—18, 33, 73
The " Bess" or Elizabeth,
9, 10
The " Diligence," 6, lO, 12 The "James," 10, 17 The " Mary," 9, 10, 15
If O. 1 of the COLLECTIONS OF THE DORCHESTER ANTI- UUARIAN AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY— MEMOIRS OF ROGER CLAP — was published in 1814. The Memoirs, written by Roger Clap himself, together with an Inlrockiction by the Rev. Mr. Prince, and some ac- count of Capt. Clap's family by Mr. Blake, author of the Annals of Dorches- ter, were reprinted from the first edition, issued in 1731. Some further account of his descendants by the Publishing Committee of the Society is also prefixed to the work, and there is added a copy of the inscription on his grave-stone as now seen in the Chapel Burying Ground in Boston. ^
KTO. 2, BLAKE'S ANNALS OF THE TOWN OF DORCHES- TER, was published in 1846, being the first printed edition. Prefixed to it is a lithographic plate containing the autographs of the male inhabitants of the town in the year 1641. An Appendix is added, containing interesting histori- cal items connected with the settlement of the town.
For sale by the Publisher, over 184 Washington street, Boston. Price 25 cents each.
LB 0 78
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